Céline Dion has said she is “so full of joy” after making a triumphant return to the stage in the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics.
The star, who has been diagnosed with stiff person syndrome, a neurological disorder, sang Édith Piaf’s Hymne à l’amour on the Eiffel Tower for a global audience of millions in her first live onstage performance since early 2020.
On Instagram, she wrote: “I’m honoured to have performed tonight, for the Paris 2024 opening ceremony, and so full of joy to be back in one of my very favourite cities! 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!”
She posted an image of herself making a heart sign with her hands, and another of fans carrying a flag with the “o” in her name written using the Games’ rings.
On Friday night Dion delivered a stirring rendition of the 1950 song accompanied by a pianist, with the Olympics rings above her. The song was written by Piaf to her boxer lover Marcel Cerdan, who died in a plane crash after it was first performed.
In 2021 Dion cancelled her Las Vegas residency because of health concerns, and in December 2022 she disclosed her SPS diagnosis and cancelled her Courage world tour. Before Friday night she had not performed in public since.
In the 2024 documentary I Am: Céline Dion she spoke about her rare condition, which causes progressive muscular inflexibility. She discussed her desire to return to the stage, and the programme showed extended footage of her having an SPS attack before singing.
The Paris opening ceremony also featured Lady Gaga singing in French the classic Mon truc en plumes, and the heavy metal band Gojira performing from the former prison the Conciergerie while a headless Marie Antoinette appeared in the windows of the building where the executed French queen was once held.
Dion also performed at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996.