Honorary coach Snoop Dogg arrives at the Winter Olympics

WASHINGTON — Tuesday was the last day before competition began for the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, and Snoop Dogg — Team USA’s first honorary coach — seemed to be everywhere.

Coach Snoop, as he’s called, has said he will use his volunteer role to “cheer, uplift and maybe drop a little wisdom from the sidelines.” He got off to a big start on Tuesday as he met Team USA snowboarders and figure skaters, shared a message for skier Lindsey Vonn and even took a ride on a Zamboni.

“It just got a little cooler in Milan,” Team USA said on social media with Snoop “reporting for duty.”

Here’s what he got up to on Tuesday:

Snoop surprised American figure skater Ilia Malinin, who had previously said in an interview how amazing it would be to meet him.

“Dude, I’m speechless right now, honestly,” Malinin said. “I have a crazy legend in front of me.”

“It’s an honor for me to be here watching you, man,” Snoop said.

Snoop even showed off his “Quad God” fan sweater, in honor of Malinin’s ability to land six different quadruple jumps in a single program.

While he was at the Olympic arena, he took a ride on a Zamboni.

Snoop also greeted Team USA’s snowboard team, who were clearly excited to meet him.

And Snoop had a message for Vonn, who announced on Tuesday that she will still compete at the Winter Games after suffering an injury during a competition last week.

“You are a true champion,” Snoop said to Vonn, according to Access Hollywood. “This is what it’s all about. Standing up for something and fighting for what you believe in. It’s so much inspiration and motivation that someone is going to get from this.”

The United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee announced Snoop Dogg as an honorary coach in December. The title is part of a volunteer role that celebrates and supports America’s athletes off the field of play.

“Known for his passion for community, mentorship and elevating young people, Snoop will lend his signature humor and heart to help motivate Team USA athletes on their road to the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 and beyond,” USOPC said in a news release.

During the 2024 Summer Games, he was a special correspondent for NBC’s Olympic coverage. He said that ever since then, he’s been inspired to do more. 

“I was instantly welcomed into the USOPC family. I felt the energy, the pride, and the love of sport that makes this team special,” he wrote on LinkedIn. “It had me hooked from day one.”

Snoop also dabbles in other sports and created the Snoop Youth Football League, which has hosted more than 15,000 young athletes and taught them teamwork, sportsmanship, discipline and self-respect, according to the nonprofit’s website.

The Opening Ceremony for the Winter Olympics is on Feb. 6, but Wednesday marks the start of competition for curling, and training kicks off for downhill skiing and luge. 

Krys Shahin contributed to this report.