The 2024 Olympic Games are now underway in Paris, but not without a little Olympic Torch help from two famous American artists: Snoop Dogg and Pharrell Williams. (See photos below.)
As part of the traditional Olympic Torch relay, Snoop and Pharrell played significant roles in the final legs of the flame’s journey Friday night in Paris.
Snoop danced and celebrated with fans during his phase of the relay, enjoying the moment with huge smiles along Seine-Saint-Denis in France. “Did something today,” Snoop said in a social media post, showing off his smile with the torch.
Pharrell got an even bigger role, as he was the final torch-bearer before the flame started its final journey up the River Seine. Photos show the “Happy” singer placing the torch into a case, before a masked man took it on its final legs.
The torch relay culminated with a dramatic finish that looked like it was going to end at the Eiffel Tower, but saw the torch go back onto the Seine, where famous world athletes Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams, Carl Lewis, and Nadia Comaneci brought it toward the finish.
The Olympic Torch Relay Journey
Snoop and Pharrell were part of a group of hundreds who have brought the Olympic Flame from Athens, Greece to Paris. According to Olympic officials, the journey began on May 8 and wound through over 400 towns and cities.
Snoop said in a recent interview with PBS that he was looking forward to his Olympic Torch moment.
“I look at this as a prestigious honor and something I truly respect. I would have never dreamed of nothing like this,” he said. “I’m going to be on my best behavior. I’m going to be on my best athleticism. I’ll be able to breathe slow to walk fast and hold the torch with a smile on my face, because I realize how prestigious this event is.”
The 2024 Olympic Games actually began Wednesday, with soccer and rugby matches, but the Opening Ceremonies were held in the rain on Friday evening in Paris. U.S. audiences could watch the ceremonies live, or on a rebroadcast on NBC Friday night.
