Brazil returned to winning ways in women’s beach volleyball when they defeated Canada in the final. In the third set, emotions heated up.
Brazil returned to the gold standard in women’s beach volleyball, when the number one pair in the world rankings Ana Patricia /Duda overthrew Canada Melissa Humana-Paredes and by Brandie Wilkerson lot 2–1. The Brazilian pair won the first set 26–24, but lost the second 12–21.
For the first time in the history of women’s beach volleyball, three sets were needed to decide.
Emotions also heated up in the third set. The couples had a very heated exchange of words through the net, and the net judge had to calm the situation down. Both couples received a yellow card for the situation.
The stadium DJ was very upset about the situation, and soon started playing John Lennon’s of the well-known song Imagine. The song, published in 1971, sings for peace.
The DJ’s witty move made the athletes not only calm down but also laugh. The crowd joined in the song before the DJ turned off the music and the game was allowed to continue.
In the end, the third set went in favor of the Brazilians 15–10. Brazil’s previous Olympic gold in women’s beach volleyball came from the Atlanta Olympics in 1996, when the sport was included in the Olympics for the first time.