Entertainment

MILAN – From carrying the Olympic torch to attempting a ski lesson with Picabo Street, Snoop Dogg has become a ubiquitous presence at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo. The rapper’s involvement with NBC’s Olympic coverage has evolved beyond a cameo, solidifying his role as a self-described “super fan” and an informal ambassador for the Games. His presence has been so pervasive, some joked NBC had deployed multiple versions of the artist.

Snoop Dogg, 54, isn’t just observing the action; he’s actively participating, bringing his signature West Coast cool to the alpine chill. He’s been spotted sliding a curling stone, driving a Zamboni, and engaging with athletes, all while offering a fresh perspective on the competition. This expanded role follows his successful debut during the Tokyo Games in 2021 with the streaming show “Olympic Highlights with Kevin Hart & Snoop Dogg,” where his playful commentary resonated with younger audiences.

“The Winter Olympics are underrated,” Snoop Dogg said in an interview Friday at NBC’s Olympic complex, as reported by the Los Angeles Times. “It’s not highly-touted like it should be. This is an event that is just as good as the Super Bowl, as the Summer Olympics. There’s so much action and there’s so much happening, and it’s not just one day. It’s not just four quarters. It’s weeks of great competition — on ice, for the most part.”

NBC’s investment in Snoop Dogg’s involvement reflects a strategy to broaden the appeal of the Olympics, particularly as much of the primetime coverage is pre-recorded due to time zone differences. Molly Solomon, executive producer and president of programming for NBC’s Olympics coverage, described Snoop as having “a joy about him, a childlike curiosity, and he’s also a people person,” adding that he “wants to lift people up in all aspects of his persona.”

Snoop Dogg learns to ski with Olympic gold medalist Picabo Street at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. (NBC New York)

From Roving Correspondent to Olympic Enthusiast

Snoop Dogg’s role extends beyond studio commentary. He’s been a roving correspondent, traveling between venues, including a four-hour drive to Cortina d’Ampezzo for curling, sliding, and women’s ski racing, and a 3½-hour trip to Livigno to watch snowboarding. He even confessed a potential competitive interest, stating, “I think I could get good in snowboard, because I just like the creativity of when you’re in the air you have full control but you in the air.”

Despite his enthusiasm for winter sports, Snoop Dogg admitted he’s never skateboarded, noting, “None of these sports are near and dear to me. That’s why it’s gonna be a first-time trial.” He maintains a competitive spirit, however, and recently attempted to run the 200 meters at the Olympic trials in Oregon before the Paris Games, completing the distance in 33 seconds before sustaining an injury.

A Future Olympic Athlete?

Undeterred, Snoop Dogg has set a new goal for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics: to run the 200 meters in under 30 seconds. “In 2028, I should be 56 years old. So if I can run it in under 30 seconds at 56, that’s a gold medal for me,” he declared. NBC is already brainstorming how to further integrate Snoop Dogg into their coverage for the Los Angeles Games, recognizing his hometown status will add another layer to his role.

His passion for the Olympics dates back to the 1984 Los Angeles Games, though as a 13-year-old growing up in Long Beach, attending the events wasn’t feasible. “We were watching on television,” he recalled. “We never thought we could physically be there… It just felt good to be an American, to watch us compete against the whole world and to see how great we were.”

Snoop Dogg learns how to ski with Picabo Street at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. (YouTube/NBC Olympics)

Championing Flag Football and Inspiring the Next Generation

Snoop Dogg’s enthusiasm extends to flag football, which will debut at the Los Angeles Olympics. He’s a strong advocate for the sport and has established a youth football league that has produced NFL players like C.J. Stroud and JuJu Smith-Schuster. “I think flag football is a sport the whole world can grab ahold of,” he said. “You’ll see so many athletes that are in the NFL that are from different parts of the world that they’ve grown the sport from them just making it to the NFL and being an inspiration for the next generation.”

As the Milan Cortina Games continue, Snoop Dogg’s presence remains a highlight, demonstrating NBC’s commitment to engaging a broader audience and injecting a dose of fun into the Olympic experience. His journey from rapper to Olympic ambassador underscores his ability to connect with fans across generations and sporting interests.

Looking ahead, Snoop Dogg’s continued involvement with NBC’s Olympic coverage promises to bring a unique and energetic perspective to future Games, particularly as the event returns to American soil in Los Angeles. His evolving role suggests a long-term partnership that will likely continue to captivate audiences and redefine the way the Olympics are experienced.

What are your thoughts on Snoop Dogg’s role at the Olympics? Share your comments below!

İlker Çatak’s “Yellow Letters,” a poignant drama exploring the repercussions of political dissent in Turkey, has been awarded the Golden Bear at the 76th Berlin International Film Festival. The film’s win, however, was shadowed by a significant controversy surrounding the festival’s response to the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the role of political activism within cinema. The award recognizes Çatak’s compelling narrative of two theatre artists whose lives unravel after falling out of favor with the state, a story told through the stark symbolism of official dismissal notices – “yellow letters.”

The film, starring Tansu Bicer and Özgü Namal, follows a married couple navigating the complexities of artistic expression and personal sacrifice in a climate of increasing authoritarianism. Even as set in Turkey, “Yellow Letters” was notably filmed in Germany, with Berlin standing in for Ankara and Hamburg for Istanbul. According to producers, this decision wasn’t driven by fear of reprisal from Turkish authorities, but rather to emphasize the film’s universal themes of political oppression and its potential to resonate globally.

Veteran filmmaker Wim Wenders, serving as jury president, described the film as delivering “chills” with its warning of “signs of despotism” and the threat of repression. He confidently predicted that “Yellow Letters” would be “understood worldwide,” a sentiment echoed by Çatak himself, who expressed gratitude to Wenders, calling him “one of my teachers.” This win marks a significant achievement for Çatak, whose previous work, the 2023 drama “The Teachers’ Lounge,” received an Oscar nomination.

Political Tensions Overshadow the Awards

The Berlinale wasn’t without its own internal conflicts. A significant controversy erupted following comments made by Wenders regarding the intersection of filmmaking and political activism. When questioned about the German government’s support for Israel and the responsibilities of cinema, Wenders stated that filmmakers “have to stay out of politics,” arguing that entering the political arena compromises the artistic integrity of the work. This stance drew immediate and widespread criticism, including a public withdrawal from the festival by Indian author Arundhati Roy, who deemed his comments “jaw-dropping” and “unconscionable.”

The controversy escalated further with an open letter signed by numerous film industry figures, including Javier Bardem, Tilda Swinton, and Adam McKay, condemning the festival’s perceived “silence” on Gaza and accusing it of censoring dissenting voices. While some attendees, such as Michelle Yeoh and Ethan Hawke, avoided direct responses to questions about the conflict, other filmmakers used the platform to voice their criticism of Israel and far-right ideologies, receiving enthusiastic applause from the audience.

Other Notable Winners at the 2026 Berlinale

Beyond “Yellow Letters,” several other films were recognized for their artistic merit. Emin Alper’s “Salvation,” a drama centered on a decades-old land dispute in the Turkish mountains, received the Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize. The third-place jury prize went to Lance Hammer’s “Queen at Sea,” a wrenching story set in London, starring Juliette Binoche as a professor grappling with her mother’s dementia.

Grant Gee was awarded the Silver Bear for Best Director for “Everybody Digs Bill Evans,” a stylish black-and-white documentary exploring the life and struggles of the legendary jazz pianist. Sandra Hüller took home the award for Best Performance for her role in “Rose,” a historical drama about a woman soldier disguising herself as a man in 17th-century society. The Silver Bear for Best Screenplay was awarded to Geneviève Dulude-De Celles for “Nina Roza,” an immigration drama, and the Silver Bear for Outstanding Artistic Contribution went to Anna Fitch and Banker White’s innovative documentary “Yo (Love is a Rebellious Bird).” Anna Calder-Marshall and Tom Courtenay shared the Best Supporting Performance award for their roles in “Queen at Sea.”

Addressing the controversy during the awards ceremony, Wenders attempted to bridge the divide, characterizing the dispute as a “social-media-driven” disconnect between art and activism. He quoted Tilda Swinton, who previously stated that “being for something does not ever imply being anti-anyone else.” Berlinale chief Tricia Tuttle also defended the festival, acknowledging the emotional intensity of the event and asserting that it was a testament to the power of cinema to engage with complex global issues.

The 2026 Berlinale, while celebrating compelling cinematic achievements like “Yellow Letters,” has undoubtedly served as a focal point for broader conversations about the role of art in a politically charged world. As the festival concludes, the debate surrounding artistic responsibility and the power of storytelling is likely to continue, shaping the future landscape of international film.

Stay tuned to archyde.com for continued coverage of the film industry and emerging cultural trends. We encourage you to share your thoughts on the Berlinale and the themes explored in “Yellow Letters” in the comments below.