Heartwarming moment major spat between Brazilian and Canadian beach volleyball players at the Olympics is defused as DJ plays John Lennon’s ‘Imagine’, sparking mass sing-a-long
- Brazil defeated Canada in a thrilling final to win the gold medal in the women’s beach volleyball tournament
- Both groups of players disagreed during the deciding set of the exciting confrontation
- The DJ stepped in to ease the tension by playing a carefully chosen hit
This is the heartwarming moment a DJ steps in to calm a heated argument between Brazilian and Canadian beach volleyball players as they battle for the gold medal at the Paris Olympics. John Lennon’s ‘Imagine’ provides a sing-along moment.
During the third set of a thrilling match on the sand of the Eiffel Tower Stadium, Canada’s Melissa Humana-Paredes and Brandie Wilkerson got into a shouting match with Brazil’s Ana Patricia Silva Ramos.
All three players stood by the net shouting and pointing at each other after a disagreement, while Ramos’ teammate Duda Lisboa took a step back.
The referee had to step in between the two sides and separate them, but the verbal sparring continued as Wilkerson and Ana Patricia glared at each other.
Wilkerson eventually walked away and was shown a yellow card.
The Brazilian and Canadian women’s beach volleyball teams rowed during their gold medal match
Brandie Wilkerson (left) and Ana Patricia Silva Ramos (right) exchanged words at the net
As the Brazilians got back into position to serve for the next point, the DJ in the room started playing ‘Imagine’, Lennon’s famous song calling for peace and unity.
The message clearly resonated with all four players, both parties were seen laughing and applauding live on TV. The audience even spontaneously joined in with a sing-along moment.
Ana Patricia and Duda came back from an 11-5 deficit to win the first set 26-24, but Canada won the second set 21-12 to take the lead.
Brazil quickly took a 12-7 lead in the tiebreak (1-15), after which tensions rose as Wilkerson and Ana Patricia got into an argument after a joust at the net.
Wilkerson later revealed to reporters that the incident was a misunderstanding. She was responding to her family in the crowd, who were sitting behind both Brazilian players and cheering, but Ana Patricia believed she was being challenged.
“We’re pretty excited, partners coming in, referees coming in. So it was a little bit of a mess,” Wilkerson said. “But after the game, and even when they came to shake our hands, still on the field, it was an instant hug.”
But it was all smiles after the DJ played John Lennon’s ‘Imagine’, a song that called for peace
Ana Patricia’s teammate Duda Lisboa couldn’t help but grin after the melody was booed
The good atmosphere between Canada and Brazil continued as they received their medals
Brazil needed just five points to secure victory when play resumed, with the score finishing 15-10. There was clear mutual respect between all four players afterwards, and they posed for photos on the podium after collecting their medals.
The good mood continued during the post-match press conference, as Wilkerson and Ana Patricia laughed and jokingly raised their fists in the air.
“We’re competitors and we’re fighting for the same thing: There’s only one gold medal,” Wilkerson said. “Right after the game, there’s just love and respect.
“We bring out the best in each other and I feel honored to play against this team.”
Wilkerson added: ‘What a wonderful opportunity we have to play the final under the Eiffel Tower against the best in the world. That in itself is a victory.’