The 2024 US Olympic track and field trials have surely left a mark on hip-hop legend Snoop Dogg, and he’s picked his champion for the games! In an Instagram post by Team USA on July 21, the ‘Drop It Like It’s Hot’ star was seen posing for his official Paris 2024 headshots. Decked out in a sleek Nike tracksuit, a blue durag, and a gold chain with a diamond-encrusted goat pendant, Snoop posed for his official Olympic headshots, looking every bit the part. But the real show stealer? A shirt featuring none other than the 2023 World Champion, Noah Lyles.

In the second slide on the carousel post, behind-the-scenes footage of Snoop from the photoshoot warmed hearts. “Make sure you get that GOAT,” he said to the cameraman, revealing a shirt featuring the USA lead star in the 100m and 200m Noah Lyles. “You see that GOAT?” Snoop asked. “We got the GOAT,” replied the cameraman. The post was captioned, “It’s official like a referee with a whistle,” and for good reason. After the photographer helped the Grammy-winning musician and now-official Olympic correspondent show off the USA emblem on his tracksuit, Snoop Dogg declared, “I’m official, like a referee with a whistle.” 

Snoop Dogg is joining NBCUniversal’s coverage team for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games as a “Special Correspondent.” The global entertainment icon will be on site, dropping into venues, chatting with athletes and their families, and bringing his signature wit and humor to the traditional NBC coverage. The ‘Doggfather’, who’s excited to bring his own flavor, joked about also working out just in case the athletes need “a hand or a foot or an arm.”

This very athleticism and excitement were on full display at the 2024 US Olympic track and field trials in Eugene, Oregon, where he struck up a bond with Noah Lyles, possibly the reason he called him the GOAT. Let’s look back at their iconic moments together in Eugene, Oregon, at Hayward Field.

Snoop Dogg and Noah Lyles’ ‘unc-nephew’ bond struck up at the 2024 US Olympic track and field trials

Among the Olympians in the making at the 2024 US Olympic track and field trials from June 21 to June 30 was none other than Snoop Dogg. While Noah Lyles was tearing up the 100-meter heat, Snoop was right there, sitting next to Lyles’ mom, Keisha Caine Bishop. They entered the stadium together, cheering Noah on as he blazed to the finish line, winning the heat with a time of 9.92 seconds. Snoop even shouted, “Go eat, nephew!” Later, Noah laughed, saying, “I haven’t met the guy. My mom met him before I did.” Ahead of Lyles’ race, Uncle Snoop also shared heartfelt moments with Sha’Carri Richardson, who dominated the women’s 100m.

The next day, Noah Lyles, who’d been flaunting a mysterious briefcase all season, finally gave fans a peek at what was inside at the US Olympic Trials, with none other than Snoop Dogg by his side. The big reveal? A rare Yu-Gi-Oh trading card, Exodia the Forbidden One, perched on Lyles’ bright red Adidas tracksuit. Snoop and Noah then hit Instagram, sharing the moments with their followers. But that wasn’t all!

Dressed in a Team USA shirt honoring Kobe Bryant and American flag-themed pants, the ‘Doggfather’ even laced up his Nike kicks for a race against Ato Boldon and Wallace Spearmon. Snoop finished third with a time of 34.44 seconds. “34.44 for a 52-year-old? Ain’t bad,” he said, giving himself a pat on the back. Later, the ‘Boss Dogg’ proudly posted a picture of his time on Instagram, because why not celebrate every victory, big or small? Giving fans a taste of what’s coming along in his Paris Olympics role, Snoop dropped his signature commentary on the steeplechase, saying, “Oh he’s jumping on top of the hurdle. You can do that?! That was a cold trick right there. I like that one. Went off the tippy-top.”

Apart from Noah, his brother Josephus was also participating in the trials, aiming for his first Olympic event. A video surfaced showing Snoop Dogg strutting over to the Lyles brothers, hugging them, and flaunting his sprinting skills while sharing some lighthearted banter. Reflecting on these heartfelt moments, it’s clear that Noah Lyles, his talent, and his family have made a big impression on Snoop Dogg. So, what do you think of the rap king picking Lyles as his GOAT? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!