Céline Dion returned to the world stage Friday at the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, and the gravity of the moment was not lost on her.
The powerhouse singer, who had not performed in public for years due to complications from a rare neurological disorder, closed the ceremony with an iconic rendition of “L'Hymne à l'amour” at the Eiffel Tower beneath a giant Olympic logo.
“I am honoured to have performed tonight at the Paris 2024 Opening Ceremony and I am so happy to be back in one of my favourite cities,” the French-Canadian superstar wrote on Instagram on Friday.
The 56-year-old turned her admiration toward the athletes competing in the summer games.
“Most of all, I am so happy to celebrate these incredible athletes, with all their stories of sacrifice and determination, pain and perseverance,” she wrote. “You have all 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.”
The “My Heart Will Go On” singer capped a nearly four-hour program that stretched along the River Seine and showcased virtually every musical genre and French talent — in the rain. The ceremony also included musical performances by Lady Gaga, French Malian superstar Aya Nakamura, opera singer Axelle Saint-Cirel and eco-metal band Gojira, as well as the lighting of a floating cauldron after athletes from more than 200 nations sent their delegations on a flotilla down the river.
“You should all be very proud, we know how hard you have worked to be the best of the best. Stay focused, keep going, my heart goes out to you!” Dion wrote.
Dion’s celebrated music career came to a halt mid-tour nearly two years ago when she revealed she had been diagnosed with stiff-person syndrome, a rare neurological disorder. The condition, which she says affects “every aspect” of her daily life, causes excruciating muscle spasms and difficulty walking and breathing. In an interview ahead of the release of her June documentary, “I Am: Céline Dion,” the five-time Grammy winner said she has broken ribs from the spasms and that her voice sometimes becomes more nasal. The documentary also included a scene in which Dion appears to suffer an intense seizure, further raising the stakes and concerns about her participation in the live Olympics, which were watched around the world.
In the days following her acclaimed performance, Dion continued to post about the star-studded night, including posting memes and reactions to her appearance on her Instagram Stories.
“Wow, what a night! Thank you to everyone at @paris2024, @olympics and @dior who helped make this dream come true. And now, it’s time to go! I’ll miss you Paris! – Celine xx,” she wrote on Sunday, sharing an image of herself dressed casually as she looks out of a window.
French fashion house Dior, which designed several of the looks worn by the stars of the ceremony, also took fans behind the scenes to see the making of Dion's haute couture gown by creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri.
The embroidered white silk dress, paired with Dior shoes, was “crafted in a vision of #DiorSavoirFaire dreams” and “adorned with sequins as bright as the stars and fringes that danced with every gesture,” Dior said on Instagram.
“The dress enveloped her in an aura that accentuated her voice, irrevocably touching hearts around the world,” the design house added.
