During the high-stakes Olympic beach volleyball final, a tense moment between Canadian and Brazilian players was diffused by an unexpected intervention from the DJ.
As tensions flared, the DJ played John Lennon’s iconic song “Imagine,” a nod to its prominent role in the opening ceremony of the Paris Games.
The conflict arose during the decisive third set when Canada’s Melissa Humana-Paredes and Brandie Wilkerson engaged in a heated exchange with Brazil’s Ana Patricia Silva Ramos. The situation escalated to the point where the referee issued a yellow card to Wilkerson. Just before the next point, “Imagine” played through the speakers, leading to an immediate change in atmosphere. The players began laughing and applauding, and the crowd joined in with a sing-along. Brazil ultimately clinched the third set 15-10 and secured the gold medal.
In a heartwarming turn at the Olympics, a heated clash between Brazilian and Canadian beach volleyball teams was softened when the DJ played John Lennon's 'Imagine,' leading to a spontaneous sing-along that united the players.#OlympicGames #Olympics pic.twitter.com/ycIyB11E30
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Wilkerson later clarified that the incident stemmed from a misunderstanding. She had been responding to her family, seated behind the Brazilian team, but Ramos had perceived the response as taunting. “We were all pretty amped up, and with the refs involved, it was a bit chaotic,” Wilkerson told reporters. “But after the game, when they came to shake our hands on the court, there was an immediate hug.”
Post-match, both teams posed together for photographs with their medals. Wilkerson and Ramos shared light-hearted moments in the press conference, showing mutual respect.
“We’re competitors fighting for the same thing,” Wilkerson remarked. “There’s only one gold medal, but immediately after the game, it’s all about love and respect. Playing in the finals under the Eiffel Tower against the best in the world was a win. It was a beautiful opportunity and an honour to compete against such a great team.”
