By Aadi Nair
CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy, Feb 6 (Reuters) - Rapper Snoop Dogg brought a touch of flair to the mixed doubles curling competition on Thursday, sporting a custom jacket featuring the faces of American duo Korey Dropkin and Cory Thiesse while cheering them to victory over Canada.
Snoop was in attendance at the Cortina Olympic Curling Stadium to witness the American pair beat Canada's Brett Gallant and Jocelyn Peterman 7-5 in front of a raucous stadium packed with U.S. supporters.
It was the
U.S. team's third straight win in the mixed doubles competition at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics.
"It's the Olympics, and our family and friends are here cheering us on. Snoop Dogg's here cheering us on! It (the jacket) was so cool. Loved it. Coach Snoop looked good today," a fired-up Dropkin said.
"Man, we are so fortunate to have our family and so many friends of ours here cheering us on. Even some folks that we don't even know, but they showed up and they're cheering loud and proud.
"It's amazing to have them here. I get fuel from that. Feeling that energy helps me lock in and make more shots. And you know what? At the end of the day, whether we win or lose, this is the Olympics, and I want to have a blast."
Hip-hop icon and sports fan Snoop, who was named the Honorary Coach of Team USA in December, got hands-on with the sport and was given a quick primer on the basics by members of the U.S. men's and women's teams on the ice after the match.
He also distributed "Coach Snoop" beanies and chains featuring the logo of his music label Death Row Records to players and coaches.
"He came out to meet the teams, he brought us all little gifts and it was fun," U.S. coach Phill Drobnick said.
"We got a necklace and a Coach Snoop hat. Good to see him, sitting with Korey's mom, watching the game, learning about the sport. He had the jacket with Cory and Korey on it, so that was really cool."
Snoop was ever-present at the Paris Olympics, serving as a hype man for Team USA and performing at a beach party in his native Long Beach during the handover ceremony for Los Angeles 2028.
He was re-signed by NBC for the Winter Games.
(Reporting by Aadi NairEditing by Toby Davis)
