Snoop Dogg‘s security guards reportedly clashed with a speed skating icon at the Winter Olympics on Wednesday.
The legendary rapper, 54, is in Milan as an honorary coach for Team USA, tasked with boosting morale and bringing a positive atmosphere to the Winter Olympics.
Fully embracing his official role, Snoop Dogg quickly went viral after trying his hand at several events earlier this week, from throwing stones on the ice to tackling the slopes on a small blue sled.
However, his feel-good role reportedly took a sour turn on Wednesday after his security guards became involved in a confrontation with Dutch speed skating icon Marianne Timmer.
As Snoop Dogg was escorted out of the packed Milano Speed Skating Stadium after watching the 1,000m event, it is claimed his security guards pushed Timmer out of the way while she was waiting to interview a group of athletes.
Timmer told Dutch outlet Sportnieuws: ‘I was standing against a wall, and one of the security guards pushed me even closer. I said, “Just act normal”, it’s a really wide hall, about four metres. But then the guy came back and I said, “What? Do I have to go through that wall or something?”
Snoop Dogg’s security guards reportedly clashed with a speed skating icon on Wednesday
According to former Dutch speed skater Marianne Timmer, Snoop Dogg’s security guards pushed her out of the way as the rapper was escorted out of Milano Speed Skating Stadium
Snoop Dogg pictured with one of his security guards during fortnight at the Winter Olympics
‘He came back and started acting all up against me. Then I said something mean back: “I’m not here waiting for Snoop Dogg, I’m waiting for Jennings de Boo. We want to see Joep (Wennermars), we want to talk to Kjeld (Nuis) for a moment”.’
Timmer went on to claim that Snoop Dogg’s security guards had developed a habit of behaving confrontationally.
‘We saw a Dutchman being roughly escorted away from the stands by some very large security guards,’ she added. ‘I could just picture myself being grabbed by the neck and thrown out. That would have been a great story.’
Snoop Dogg was unveiled as an honorary coach for Team USA in December, when the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) announced he would take on a ‘volunteer role celebrating and supporting America’s athletes off the field of play’.
Given the title of ‘Coach Snoop’, the rapping icon has been busy so far in Milan, carrying the Olympic flame in Gallarate last week and supporting Team USA at a host of events including the curling, skiing downhill and speed skating.
While out in Milan, Snoop is also continuing to work as a broadcaster for television network NBC, whom he famously commentated for at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
It is likely the rapper’s involvement at the Winter Olympics will be well worth it financially, given he was reportedly paid a whopping £393,000 ($500,000) every day for his NBC role at the 2024 Games.
German outlet BILD also reportedly heard from an NBC employee that he would earn up to £11.78million ($15m) across the 2024 Games, with a TV ratings bonus in his contract.
Snoop attended the 1,000m event as he continued his role as Team USA’s ‘honorary coach’
Snoop Dogg was unveiled as an honorary coach for Team USA in December, tasked with boosting morale and bringing a positive feel-good atmosphere to the Winter Olympics
The rapper has tried his hand at several events, such as throwing stones on the curling rink
Given that he is continuing to work for NBC in Milan and has also taken on an official role for Team USA, there is every chance his staggering earnings have increased significantly for the Winter Games.
After his official role was unveiled in December, ‘Coach Snoop’ said: ‘Team USA athletes are the real stars – I’m just here to cheer, uplift and maybe drop a little wisdom from the sidelines.
‘This team represents the best of what sport can be: talent, heart and hustle. If I can bring a little more love and motivation to that, that’s a win for me.’