The Magic Of John Lennon’s “Imagine” In One Video From The Olympics
English musician, singer and guitarist with the Beatles, John Lennon (1940-1980) pictured during production and filming of the British musical comedy film Help! on New Providence Island in the Bahamas on 2nd March 1965. (Photo by William Lovelace/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Every four years, the Olympics unite the world, celebrating both the thrill of competition and the spirit of global unity. But like any competition, tension between athletes is almost inevitable, as seen at this year’s Paris games.
The women’s beach volleyball match last Friday was no exception. Ana Patricia Silva Ramos of Brazil went up against Brandie Wilkerson of Canada. At one point, emotions ran high, leading to a brief exchange of words between the players at the net. The cause of the disagreement wasn’t entirely clear, so the referee intervened to calm the situation.
To everyone’s surprise, the DJ chose a perfect song for the moment: John Lennon’s “Imagine.” The atmosphere quickly shifted as the players began to smile, and the crowd joined in, singing along to the timeless anthem.
This wasn’t the first time “Imagine” played a significant role at the Olympics. The song was also featured prominently during the opening ceremony of the 2021 games, which had been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Musical Highlights at the Olympics Closing Ceremony
The 2024 Paris Olympics concluded in grand style with a dazzling closing ceremony on Sunday, officially marking the end of the games and passing the baton to Los Angeles for 2028.
Tom Cruise, in classic Hollywood style, made a dramatic entrance, descending from the top of the stadium to the iconic “Mission Impossible” theme. Upon landing, he received the Olympic flag from star gymnast Simone Biles, secured it on the back of a motorcycle, and rode out of the stadium, symbolizing the handover to Los Angeles.
The ceremony was packed with musical performances by some of the biggest names in the industry. Billie Eilish, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Snoop Dogg—joined by his longtime collaborator Dr. Dre—performed at Venice Beach, celebrating the transition from Paris to Los Angeles. Athletes rushed to the stage to catch the final performance by French pop-rock band Phoenix, bringing the event to an unforgettable close.
