Celine Dion made a spectacular return to the stage at the Opening Ceremony of the Paris Olympic Games on Friday (July 26).
Sporting a stunning white gown and framed against the backdrop of the Eiffel Tower, the diva belted out Edith Piaf’s classic song Hymne à l’amour (Hymn To Love) as the final number of the ceremony, marking her first live performance in four years.
A triumphant comeback amid her battle with stiff person syndrome, it signalled the end of an extravagant show that played out along a six kilometre stretch of the River Seine.
Watch Celine Dion’s performance at the 2024 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony below.
"Si je dois revenir chanter, ce sera pour les Jeux Olympiques."
— France tv (@FranceTV) July 26, 2024
4 ans après sa dernière performance sur scène, voici la sublime performance de Céline Dion qui reprend "L'hymne à l'amour" d'Edith Piaf.#ceremoniedouverture #paris2024 pic.twitter.com/Y7qM4ARKNO
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.”
