The timing of the music played by the DJ at the beach volleyball women's gold-medal match at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 between Canada and Brazil was impeccable.
Brandie Wilkerson and Melissa Humaña-Paredes were playing the top-ranked Brazilian duo of Ana Patricia and Duda in a crunch showdown.
In the deciding third set, tempers flared at the net, enough that the referee stepped in.
Suddenly, a few bars of a well-known piece of music started up. Then came the lyrics.
"Imagine all the people
Livin' life in peace..."
Recognition dawned. Wilkerson broke into a smile and along with Humaña-Paredes clapped the song choice. Duda grinned, and when the crowd joined in with the song, all was right with the world.
That use of music, at the perfect time, in the perfect way, was just one of myriad ways that the soundtrack – both chosen and impromptu – played its part at Paris 2024.
Sporting anthems and cultural classics at Paris 2024
Ángela Ruiz knows only too well how the addition of well-chosen tunes can enhance already indescribable moments.
Alongside Alejandra Valencia and Ana Paula Vázquez, the teenager helped win a first ever medal for Mexico in women's team archery, with bronze, a fourth ever Olympic medal in the sport.
Ruiz played her part in a thrilling three-setter against the Netherlands, which saw a dramatic conclusion with four tens scored to take the win. Sunday 28 July was also the day she turned 18.
The Mexican contingent in the crowd and fans at home sang 'Canta y no llores' in an exuberant rendition of the traditional celebratory song, before addressing Ruiz personally with the birthday song, Las Mañanitas, which includes the lyrics:
"We all come with pleasure
And pleasure to congratulate you
The day you were born."
And the backdrop to this special day? The historic venue of Esplanade des Invalides.
Other cultures were observed with music, too.
'Fly High', the theme song of Manga series, Haikyu!!, was played at Japan's men’s volleyball games, while Abba's 'Dancing Queen' was belted out after Mondo Duplantis won Olympic gold with a world record pole vault of 6.25m for Sweden.
Classic sporting anthems were played, renowned in other countries, perhaps, but new to arenas in France ahead of sports events.
Gloria Gaynor’s 'I Will Survive' played with humour after the athletics concluded each night, Neil Diamond's 'Sweet Caroline' rang out, while Gala took to the grass ahead of the men's final to sing the adopted football anthem 'Freed from Desire', although without the lyrics altered by fans from 'mind and senses purified', to, 'Your defence is terrified', sadly.
France's musical showpieces the soundtrack to Paris 2024
For the home nation, songs aplenty encapsulated every feeling that made some moments acutely personal for a home Games.
The men's rugby sevens side, after winning France's first gold medal of Paris 2024 to perfectly kick off Day One, could be in no doubt as to the impact of their win against defending champions Fiji.
'Que je t'aime,' we love you, echoed around the Stade de France, the repetitive chorus of the Johnny Hallyday song ideal for building to a crescendo of celebration. The renowned anthem, known across France, was sung by the majority of the 80,000 fans at the venue for a joyous start to the XXXIII Olympiad.
'Aux Champs-Elysées', meanwhile, was the drumbeat to many a fan tramping across Paris to get to the famous avenue itself to watch free events like the triathlon, road race or marathon, or even head to the official Paris 2024 megastore, situated on the historic boulevard book-ended by the Arc de Triomphe and Place de La Concorde.
The song also engaged fans in venue singalongs with those of every nationality able to join the 'ba la ba la baah' rhythm of the trumpet in Joe Dassin's jaunty classic.
Music played a key part, too, in the handover the next hosts, Los Angeles 2028, who received the Olympic Flag at the closing ceremony on Sunday 11 August.
In the sector given to the new Olympic hosts, video footage from Long Beach, California, saw Dr Dre, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Billie Eilish perform in front of a stunning blue-sky white-sand backdrop, the venue for the likes of marathon swimming and triathlon in four years' time.
Another performer who took to the stage has been front and centre at Paris 2024 as an 'official' superfan of the Games. The American rapper will no doubt have been taking notes throughout his 16-day stay and looking forward to showcasing his own nation, with music again playing it part.
Over to you, Snoop Dogg.
The Paralympic Games Paris 2024 take place from 28 August to 8 September. See more.
Paris 2024 invites fans to the “most spectacular” Paralympic Games in history
