Snoop Dogg, Vonn & IOC boss: The last meters of the torch

Amid the applause of hundreds of fans, rap star Snoop Dogg was one of the last celebrities to carry the Olympic torch.

July 26, 2024

From: dpa/apa

The American was presented with the flame just a few hours before the opening ceremony in front of the Saint-Denis stadium. He strolled a few meters to a boat dock in a white outfit and gold sneakers. With a broad grin, he waved to onlookers and photographers. IOC boss Thomas Bach carried the flame through the Olympic Village.

When a fan played a song by the hip-hop star, the 52-year-old showed a few of his famous dance moves and let the crowd celebrate. Snoop Dogg then passed the flame to the social worker and teacher Latifa Benkada on a boat. The musician had previously said that this was a special honor and reminded him of 1996, when Muhammad Ali lit the Olympic flame in Atlanta. That emotional moment, when the boxing icon, who suffers from Parkinson's disease, raised the torch with a shaking hand, went around the world. Snoop Dogg is a special correspondent for the US broadcaster NBC inParis.

Bach carries fire through the Olympic Village

Bach received the torch in the Olympic Village in Paris from a group of international sporting legends - including former ski racer Lindsey Vonn, ex-basketball player Pau Gasol and former track cycling star Chris Hoy. French handball player Cleopatre Darleux handed it to him in front of the Dutch team's house, and Bach then passed the torch to Emma Terho, chair of the IOC Athletes' Commission, in front of the US team's accommodation.

Lindsey Vonn was allowed to hold the Olympic flame. © APA/afp / DAVID GOLDMAN

Several athletes came to their houses or to the windows. They applauded, took photos and videos, and some even accompanied the entourage. This shows "how fascinating the Olympic flame is," said Bach a few hours before the official start.