Snoop Dogg Kicks Off Winter Olympics Hosting Gig with Zamboni Ride and Meeting 'Quad God'

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Snoop Dogg kicked off his 2026 Winter Olympics hosting duties in Milano, Italy by taking a ride on a Zamboni and meeting up with figure skater Ilia Malinin, known as the 'Quad God' for being the first to successfully land a quadruple Axel in competition. Snoop will serve as the first-ever honorary Team USA coach and special correspondent for NBC during the 16-day Games.

Why it matters

Snoop Dogg's involvement in the Winter Olympics as both a coach and commentator brings a unique celebrity presence and star power to the global sporting event. His interactions with athletes like Malinin help generate excitement and interest around lesser-known winter sports like figure skating.

The details

In videos posted online, Snoop is seen ghost riding a Zamboni at the Milano Ice Skating arena while wearing a winter coat over a red tracksuit. He then met up with 21-year-old figure skater Ilia Malinin, who is known as the 'Quad God' for being the first to successfully land a quadruple Axel in competition. The two chatted and Snoop filmed Malinin performing some of his signature skating moves, praising his skill and swagger.

• Snoop Dogg touched down in Italy on Tuesday, February 3, 2026 to kick off his Winter Olympics hosting duties.
• The 2026 Milano Cortina Olympic Winter Games opening ceremony will take place on Friday, February 6, 2026.

What they’re saying

What’s next

Snoop Dogg will continue his hosting duties throughout the 16-day Winter Olympics, exploring Italy's landmarks and culture while also providing commentary and hosting a 'Snoop's Greatest Hits' segment during the Games.