The presence of Snoop Dogg at the Winter Olympics has drawn significant attention, but not without controversy. A complaint has emerged from Dutch speed skating champion Marianne Timmer, following a tense encounter with the rapper’s security team at the Milano Speed Skating Stadium. Timmer, a three-time Olympic gold medalist, reported the incident occurred after the women’s 1,000-meter event while she was preparing to conduct media interviews.
Timmer described her experience to Sportnieuws, stating, “I was standing against a wall, and one of the security guards pushed me even closer.” She expressed her frustration, saying, “It’s a really wide hall, about four meters. But then the guy came back, and I said, ‘What? Do I have to go through that wall or something?’”
The situation escalated from there. Timmer recalled that after her remark, the security guards returned and “started acting all up against me.” She witnessed another individual being “roughly escorted” out of the venue, which raised her concerns, as she imagined a similar fate for herself. “I could just picture myself being grabbed by the neck and thrown out. That would have been a great story,” she remarked.
Snoop Dogg is in Milan serving as an “honorary coach” for Team USA, a role announced by the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee in a press release. His involvement aims to “lend his signature humor and heart to help motivate Team USA athletes.” In his own words, Snoop Dogg stated, “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.”
Throughout the Games, Snoop Dogg has maintained a high profile, engaging in various activities including carrying the Olympic flame and experimenting with sports such as curling. He has also contributed as a broadcaster for NBC. As of now, Team USA has made a strong showing, entering the week with a total of 13 medals, including four golds, placing them third overall in the competition.
While the athletic achievements have been commendable, Timmer’s account reveals that the atmosphere surrounding the celebrity coach has not been entirely free of friction. The incident has sparked discussions about the interaction between athletes, media representatives, and security personnel at major sporting events.
As the Winter Olympics progress, Snoop Dogg continues to support the athletes, even showcasing a light-hearted side by donning custom shirts featuring the faces of Team USA curlers Korey Dropkin and Cory Thiesse. Yet, the incident involving Timmer serves as a reminder of the complexities that can arise in high-pressure environments like the Olympics.
