Grammy-winning Canadian singer Celine Dion savored her first performance in four years at the 2024 Olympic Games opening ceremony in Paris, France, on Friday.
The 56-year-old singer, who has been battling stiff-person syndrome, performed “Hymne à l’amour” by French singer Édith Piaf from the base of the Eiffel Tower, creating an instantly iconic moment.
Dion, who had not performed publicly since 2020, expressed her joy in a statement, celebrating her memorable performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“I am deeply honored to have performed tonight at the Paris 2024 Opening Ceremony, and thrilled to be back in one of my favorite cities! Most importantly, I am overjoyed to celebrate these incredible athletes and their stories of sacrifice, determination, pain, and perseverance.
Each of you has pursued your dreams with unwavering focus, and regardless of whether you win a medal, I hope that being here means your dream has come true!”
“You should all be immensely proud; we know the tremendous effort you’ve put in to become the best of the best. Stay focused, keep pushing forward, and know that my heart is with you!” she wrote.
This marks Dion’s second performance at the Olympic Games. She previously performed at the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games.
According to TMZ, Dion was compensated for her performance at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Reporter recalls that Celine Dion had pledged not to let her battle with Stiff Person Syndrome prevent her from performing again.
In an interview with Hoda Kotb on the Today Show, she promised to return to live performances, even if she had to crawl to the stage and communicate with her hands.
