Internationally acclaimed singer Celine Dion is rumoured to perform at the 2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremony, marking her first performance since her health hiatus.
Celine Dion returns to stage after stiff-person diagnosis
Dion was diagnosed with stiff-person syndrome in December 2022, a rare neurological disorder causing severe muscle spasms and affecting her ability to walk and perform.
The news of her potential performance has sparked excitement among fans and the music community alike.
According to Variety, Dion arrived in Paris on Monday and is staying at the Royal Monceau Hotel near the Champs-Élysées, where other potential performers, including Lady Gaga, are also staying.
Specific details about her performance are being kept under wraps, but her involvement in such a significant global event would mark a powerful comeback for the iconic artist.
2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremony: How to watch live
The opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics promises to be a spectacular and historic event.
Here are all the details you need to know about the ceremony and how to watch it live:
- Date and Time: The opening ceremony will take place on Friday, 26 July 2024. The event is scheduled to start at 19:30 SAST and is expected to last over three hours.
- Unique Elements: For the first time in Olympic Summer Games history, the opening ceremony will be held outside a traditional stadium. Instead, it will feature a river parade along the Seine, offering a picturesque and innovative start to the games. The parade will begin at the Austerlitz Bridge and travel west for six kilometres, passing iconic landmarks such as Notre Dame and the Louvre.
- Viewing Locations: The quays of the Seine will serve as spectator stands, providing a stunning backdrop with the setting sun reflecting off famous Parisian landmarks. Almost 100 boats carrying approximately 10,500 athletes will float along the Seine, culminating in the official protocols opposite the Trocadero, across from the Eiffel Tower.
- Entertainment: The ceremony will feature performances directed by Thomas Jolly, with an eclectic mix of France’s diverse cultural elements, from opera to rap. Choreographer Maud Le Pladec will lead 400 dancers, part of the 3,000 artists involved in the ceremonies, all dressed in unique costumes by Daphne Burki, who emphasizes sustainability with vintage and upcycled pieces.