DJ puts end to heated Olympic volleyball spat, sparks sing-along with John Lennon’s ‘Imagine’
ByEthan Sears
Published Aug. 10, 2024, 11:22 a.m. ET
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When tension boiled over at Olympic beach volleyball, the best solution was to go back to the well from the opening ceremony.
During an argument between Canadian and Brazilian players at the beach volleyball final, the DJ stepped in and played John Lennon’s ‘Imagine’ to defuse tensions.
It worked like a charm.
Canada’s Melissa Humana-Paredes and Brandie Wilkerson had gotten into a shouting match with Brazil’s Ana Patricia Silva Ramos during the decisive third set, with the referee coming to break the trio up and show Wilkerson a yellow card.
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Before the next point, the song — which had featured prominently in the opening ceremony at the Paris Games — came on.
All four players started laughing and applauding, with the crowd jumping in to sing along.
3Brazil’s #01 Ana Patricia Silva Ramos argues with Canada’s #02 Brandie Wilkerson during their Olympic beach volleyball match on Aug. 9, 2024.AFP via Getty Images
3Brandie Wilkerson reacts during Team Canada Olympic beach volleyball match against Brazil on Aug. 9, 2024.Screengrab
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Brazil went on to win the third set, 15-10, and the match to take gold.Wilkerson later explained there was a misunderstanding behind the incident, as she was responding to her family — which was seated behind the Brazilians — but Ramos thought she was being taunted.
“We’re pretty amped up, partners are coming in, refs are coming in. So it was a bit of a mess,” Wilkerson told reporters. “But after the game and even right when they came to shake our hands, still on the court, there was an immediate hug.”
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3Ana Patricia Silva Ramos of Team Brazil and Brandie Wilkerson of Team Canada argue during their Olympic beach volleyball match on Aug. 9, 2024.Getty Images
The two teams posed for photos together with their medals after the match.
Wilkerson and Ramos also joked around in the press conference, laughing and putting up their fists.
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“We’re competitors and we are fighting for the same thing,” Wilkerson said. “There’s only one gold medal. Immediately after the game, it’s all love and respect.
“We bring out the best in each other and I’m honored to play against this team. What a beautiful opportunity we have to play the finals under the Eiffel Tower against the best in the world. Like, that, in of itself, is a win.”
