LIGHT IT UP
Fans baffled as controversial rap legend Snoop Dogg will carry Paris Olympics 2024 torch ahead of opening ceremony
Thousands of tickets still available for ambitious opening ceremony
RAPPER Snoop Dogg will carry the Olympic torch towards Friday's Paris 2024 opening ceremony.
But organisers will be desperately hoping he doesn't Drop It Like It's Hot.
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The American artist, 52, will be among the final torchbearers as the flame completes its journey across France to the Eiffel Tower.
His penultimate leg is in Saint-Denis, the suburb of northern Paris which is home to the Stade de France - the athletics stadium for the Olympics - before the Next Episode takes the torch to the iconic landmark.
Snoop Dogg - real name Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr - got the nod because he was born in Los Angeles, the host city for the next Games in 2028.
And he joins an illustrious list of famous faces to take part in the trans-national relay.
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They include legendary French footballer and Olympic team coach Thierry Henry, former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, Formula One driver Charles Leclerc and glamorous American actress Halle Berry.
But fans on social media were baffled by the selection of Snoop Dogg.
The rapper is in France working for US TV network NBC during the Paris Olympics.
He took to X to share his delight at the opportunity.
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Posting a photo of himself in front of Paris' city hall Hotel de Ville, the Californian wrote: "U ready? 🥇 Paris 2024 Olympics ya digggg."
He followed that up with: "U gots to do it!! 👊🏿🇺🇸🔥🔥🏃🏿🥇🇫🇷 Will u be watching??"
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But while the Olympics' official account replied: "We're SO READY," others were less so - especially given Snoop Dogg's very public views and use of marijuana.
One said: "How does Snoop Dogg find his way into everything, can't escape the guy."
Another wrote: "I never imagined seeing this, what a great time to be alive."
A third added: "I thought this was a joke. Just how does Snoop Dogg in any way represent anything to do with the Olympics?"
Why is the Olympic track purple?
Athletics icon Carl Lewis unveiled the new look purple track, which was designed by Italian company Mondo.
It is made of rubber, covers an area of around 17,000 square metres and has been extended from eight to nine lanes.
President of the Paris 2024 Organising Committee Tony Estanguet revealed that the idea was to create a more "joyful and festive" tone to the track.
It will feature three colours, two shades of purple (one lighter, closer to lavender and the other darker) and grey on the outside of the track.
Mondo have seen three hundred world records broken since the Italian company produced the tracks since 1972.
And it is hoped that many more will be broken at the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
And a fourth commented: "I like Snoop, but he's not exactly an advert for healthy living."
The Olympics officially open on Friday evening with the ambitious opening ceremony along the River Seine.
Approximately 10,500 athletes will travel six kilometres along the river in boats, paraded to the crowd on the banks.
They will arrive at Champions Park - a temporary stadium with a crowd capacity of 13,000 - in front of the Trocadero by the Eiffel Tower.
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There, the rest of the ceremony will take place, including an opening declaration from the French President, Emmanuel Macron, as well as various performances.
However, as of Monday, a reported 500,000 to 600,000 tickets for the Paris Olympics remained unsold - including 4,000 for the opening ceremony.
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