Celine Dion Performs at Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony

Singer Celine Dion performs on the Eiffel Tower during the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympic Games on July 26, 2024. (Screengrab by IOC via Getty Images)

Canadian singer Celine Dion performed to over 300,000 spectators at the opening ceremony for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris in a rare public appearance since ending her regular performances for health concerns in 2021.

Ms. Dion sang “L’hymne à l’amour,” or “The Hymn of Love,” on the balcony of the Eiffel Tower with the Olympic rings along the iron sides of the building.

Ms. Dion ended her residency in Las Vegas, where she performed regularly, in 2021, and in 2022 revealed she is suffering from stiff-person syndrome. The neurological disease causes muscle spasms.

“A proud Quebecer from Charlemagne is on stage at the Opening Ceremony!” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a July 26 post on the X platform. “[Celine Dion] is a Canadian icon, an incredible talent, and she overcame a lot to be there tonight. Céline, it’s great to see you singing again.”

Sharing photos of Ms. Dion at the opening ceremony, the social media account of the Olympic Games also celebrated Ms. Dion’s performance.

“[Celine Dion] is spectacular and Paris sparkles with the Olympic spirit!” the post said. “Paris 2024 is here!!!”

Ms. Dion had been spotted in Paris on July 24, raising speculation about whether she would perform or not. French officials had been vague when asked if the singer was part of the opening ceremony.

France’s sports minister Amelie Oudea-Castera told media that it was “within the realm of possibility,” and added she hoped the singer would perform.

French President Emmanuel Macron was also asked about the chance that Ms. Dion would perform. He said he would be “immensely happy” and called her a “tremendous artist,” but did not give a direct answer.

Ms. Dion is a five-time Grammy winner and has sold 250 million records worldwide as of 2021.

On July 24, she posted photos of herself in Paris, saying how much she loves the city.

“Every time I return to Paris, I remember there’s so much beauty and joy still to experience in the world. I love Paris, and I’m so happy to be back,” Ms. Dion said in the post on X. “Thank you to our wonderful friends at The Louvre!”

She also performed at the opening ceremony of the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.

Ms. Dion announced her condition in a video on Instagram on Dec. 8, 2022.

“I’ve been dealing with problems with my health for a long time, and it’s been really difficult for me to face these challenges and to talk about everything that I’ve been going through,” she said.

“Unfortunately, these spasms affect every aspect of my daily life, sometimes causing difficulties when I walk and not allowing me to use my vocal cords to sing the way I’m used to,” she added. “I’m working hard with my sports medicine therapist every day to build back my strength and my ability to perform again.”

There is no known cure for the disease, but medicine and therapy can help manage symptoms.

Jennifer Cowan contributed to this article.