Céline Dion Shines at Paris 2024 Olympic Opening Ceremony

The long-awaited moment finally arrived as Céline Dion captivated audiences at the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympics. The event marked the official launch of the Games, featuring an extravagant parade of 184 participating countries along the Seine River.

Céline, who made headlines recently by returning to the stage after a long break, closed the ceremony with a stunning performance of ‘Hymne à l’amour’ by Édith Piaf, perched atop the iconic Eiffel Tower. With her all-white outfit, she certainly left her mark at this grand event.

This was only the second opening ceremony for Céline, who also sang at the Atlanta Games in 1996. She hadn’t performed in public since 2020 due to health issues related to her rare condition known as the stiff person syndrome. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed his pride on social media, highlighting her resilience and talent.

More than 6,800 athletes floated down the Seine to greet an enthusiastic crowd of approximately 320,000 people, who braved rainy weather to celebrate the launch of the Games. Tony Estanguet, the president of the organizing committee, welcomed everyone with a spirited message during his speech.

The spectators faced challenges getting to the ceremony due to incidents of vandalism on the Parisian TGV network, but once they arrived, they were treated to a spectacular show directed by Thomas Jolly. Jolly’s vision incorporated various aspects of Parisian culture and history, aiming to present a diverse and inclusive portrayal of France.

The event was packed with entertainment, featuring performances from other big names such as Lady Gaga, Gojira, and Aya Nakamura, among others. The choreography was exceptional, with 3,000 dancers, musicians, and actors illustrating the rich history of France along the riverbanks.

In a memorable moment, Lady Gaga performed ‘Mon truc en plumes,’ a classic French hit, in an homage to the nation. She expressed her gratitude for being part of such a beautiful celebration of French culture.

The ceremony also shed light on the LGBTQ+ community, featuring artistic displays and performances that represented various facets of society. The parade began with Greece, following the traditional custom, while the home team, France, concluded the festivities.

At exactly 4:54 PM, French President Emmanuel Macron officially launched the Olympic Games, with Rafael Nadal receiving the Olympic flame from legendary French footballer Zinédine Zidane, taking part in the final torch relay.

The Canadian team, which includes over 300 athletes, marched proudly on the same vessel as Cameroon, the Central African Republic, China, and Chile. Captain Nicholas Hoag shared his excitement about the camaraderie and shared spirit among all athletes at the Games.

For security, a massive deployment of law enforcement was in place, with 45,000 police officers and military personnel ensuring safety throughout the ceremony.