Celine Dion shared a sweet message with fans on social media after her performance at the Opening Ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
The Canadian superstar took to the stage against the backdrop of the Eiffel Tower for a sensational rendition of Edith Piaf’s classic song Hymne à l’amour (Hymn To Love) as the final number of the ceremony.
It was her first performance in four years and, in a post on Instagram, the singer admitted she’s “so full of joy” while sharing her best wishes with all of the athletes competing.
“I’m honored to have performed tonight, for the Paris 2024 Opening Ceremony, and so full of joy to be back in one of my very favorite cities,” she penned. “Most of all, I’m so happy to be celebrating these amazing athletes, with all their stories of sacrifice and determination, pain and perseverance.
“All of you have been so focused on your dream, and whether or not you take home a medal, I hope that being here means that it has come true for you! You should all be so proud, we know how hard you have worked to be the best of the best.
“Stay focused, keep going, my heart is with you!”
A triumphant comeback, it comes amid Celine’s battle with stiff person syndrome and signalled the end of an extravagant show that played out along a six kilometre stretch of the River Seine.
Celine went public with her stiff person syndrome diagnosis – a rare neurological condition – back in December 2022, having been forced to cancel her ‘Courage World Tour’ and planned Las Vegas residency.
The superstar recently opened up about her condition in the new documentary ‘I Am: Celine Dion’, in which she is seen breaking down in tears as she discussed how much she misses performing live.
“I’m working hard every day, but I have to admit, it’s been a struggle,” she confessed in the Prime Video documentary. “I miss it so much. The people, I miss them.”
Sharing her determination to get back on stage, the I’m Alive singer said: “If I can’t run, I’ll walk. If I can’t walk, I’ll crawl. And I won’t stop. I won’t stop.”
Reflecting on the “magic” that happens when she performs live, she added: “It’s not hard to do a show, you know. It’s hard to cancel a show.”
