Celine Dion made the ultimate comeback at the July 26 opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics. This marked her first return to the stage amidst her ongoing battle with stiff person syndrome (SPS), which has severely impacted her mobility and singing abilities.
Dion was first diagnosed with stiff person syndrome in December 2022. SPS is a rare autoimmune disease that results in muscle stiffness, painful spasms, difficulty walking, and heightened sensitivity to environmental stimuli. Dion’s struggles have been put into the spotlight in the documentary I Am: Celine Dion, and she has taken to social media to share in her own words just how much it meant to her that she got to perform at the Paris opening ceremony.
Celine Dion reflects on her comeback performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremony
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On the day of her big comeback at the Paris Olympics, Dion took to Instagram to reflect on her recent triumphant performance. Her post includes several photos from the big night, including Dion in her bedazzled dress making a heart with her hands, the historic site that staged her comeback, and signs of support from her many fans.
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“I’m honored to have performed tonight, for the Paris 2024 Opening Ceremony, and so full of joy to be back in one of my very favorite cities,” she captioned her post. “Most of all, I’m so happy to be celebrating these amazing athletes, with all their stories of sacrifice and determination, pain and perseverance.”
She went on to praise, “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!”
The Olympic trials
The ordeal that the athletes have undergone to make it to the Olympics is something Dion can relate to, in her own way. In April, Dion spoke with Vogue France about her own regimen to live with SPS, so she might get back to doing the things she loves.
“The way I see it, I have two choices. Either I train like an athlete and work super hard,” said Dion, “or I switch off and it’s over, I stay at home, listen to my songs, stand in front of my mirror and sing to myself. I’ve chosen to work with all my body and soul, from head to toe, with a medical team. I want to be the best I can be.”
By that time, Dion was cautiously optimistic about her future; the physical element could be a severely limiting factor, but her determination still knows no bounds.
“There’s one thing that will never stop, and that’s the will,” she added. “It’s the passion. It’s the dream. It’s the determination.” Dion has certainly proven that with strength that’s worthy of a gold medal.