Celine Dion saved the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics last night as she made a triumphant return to stage for the first time in over four years after battling with Stiff Person Syndrome.
The French-speaking Canadian singer moved millions of people across the world to tears as she performed a heartbreaking rendition of Hymne à L’amour from underneath the dazzling Eiffel Tower.
It marked her first performance in over four years after revealing that her body had been wracked with painful spasms following her diagnosis with the rare and chronic neurological disorder.
Despite her disappearing from the spotlight since 2020, the pro proved her vocal chords were as strong as ever, leaving crowds speechless, with fans watching at home applauding ‘the most beautiful ending’ to the Opening Ceremony.
The megastar’s triumphant return has also put at bay fans’ fears that the 56-year-old’s incurable autoimmune disease, which she revealed in December 2022, might spell the end to her long-running career.
The heart-breaking song chosen by Celine is well-known by French nationals and was first sung by Edith Piaf, who wrote it in tribute to the love of her life, boxer Marcel Cerdan, who died in a plane crash in 1949 while on a flight to see her.
Celine’s performance took place as French athletes ran with the Olympic torch before arriving at the Tuileries garden where judo star Teddy Riner and sprinter Marie-Jose Perec lit the Olympic cauldron attached to an hot air balloon.
Many in the crowd and watching from their armchairs were left speechless as the cauldron rose over the city, lighting up the Parisian night sky as it travelled down the River Seine.
Celine Dion saved the day with her performance at the Paris Opening Ceremony last night
The French-speaking Canadian singer moved millions of people across the world to tears as she performed a heartbreaking rendition of Hymne à l’amour from underneath the dazzling Eiffel Tower.
In a documentary called I Am Celine Dion the superstar revealed the painful battle she had been enduring behind the scenes
The cauldron, with the Olympic flame lit, lifts off while attached to a balloon during the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games
The Eiffel Tour lit up as Celine Dione performed her power ballad at the Paris Opening Ceremony
Celine Dion previously performed at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, USA
The beautiful end to the Opening Ceremony will have come as a relief to organisers whose efforts were dampened by torrential downpours that led spectators, celebrities, politicians and royals from around the world to cower under umbrellas.
France’s unique plan to hold the opening event outdoors rather than inside a stadium, as is typical, was criticised by many who watched the historic night, with some slamming it as the ‘worst Olympic opening ceremony in memory’.
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Arm chair viewers were left unimpressed by Lady Gaga’s performance of Folie Bergiere, which she sang entirely in French on the riverbanks of the Seine, after it was marred by sound issues.
As France’s tricolour flag erupted from the Pont d’Austerlitz Bridge just after 6.30pm UK time, 6,800 athletes began travelling down the murky waterway in huge a flotilla of 85 boats.
But in what was branded as a weather ‘disaster’ by French meteorologists, athletes were forced to chuck on ugly plastic ponchos and shield with umbrellas as they tried to keep spirits up while being lashed by rain.
Other bizarre elements of the four-hour ceremony, included a performance by French ‘national treasure’ Phillippe Katerine, who was seen lying on a boat, naked and painted blue, covered by a fruit platter.
And when the Olympic flag was finally raised after President Emmanuel Macron opened the ceremony, it was hoisted up the poll upside down.
The Olympic Rings lit up under the Eiffel Tower where Celine Dion performed
The cauldron, with the Olympic flame lit, lifts off while attached to a balloon during the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games
A spectator covers his head with a flag to protect from the miserable onslaught of rain in Paris
Team GB diver Tom Daley and rower Helen Glover reenact the Titanic as they travel down the River Seine
Celine salvaged a night that was disrupted by unusually rainy July weather, which was caused a screen at the Trocadéro where thousands of spectators are gathered appeared to suffer a blackout.
Earlier on in the night, Athletes on Team GB’s boat – lead by flag bearers diver Tom Daley and rower Helen Glover, with tennis stars Andy Murray and Katie Boulter onboard – decided to embrace the poor weather, forgoing raincoats and umbrellas as they beamed and waved to fans.
France has opened the 2024 Olympic Games by hauling the world renowned flag upside down
The Olympic flag is hoisted at Trocadero during the Opening Ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games
Torrential rained marred the start of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games
Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco with their children Jacques and Gabriella
Dancers were forced to perform routines in the rain as they took boats down the Seine
Torrential rain in Paris has marred the opening ceremony with many spectators seen wearing ponchos and holding umbrellas
The Opening Ceremony for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games was marred by miserable rain tonight
Team GB’s team embraced the rain, with many opting not to bother with poncho to protect from the torrential showers
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer appears less than impressed by the miserable weather in Paris
A sea of ponchos on the banks of the River Seine tonight as they watch the Opening Ceremony
A screen at the Trocadero breaks because of the onslaught of rain
Lady Gaga’s opening performance narrowly avoided the rain before the heavens opened
Water is pushed off the stage under the Eiffel Tower
Tightrope walker Nathan Paulin performs on a high rope during the athletes’ parade on the River Seine
Meanwhile spectators in London’s Mayfair fan zone soaked up the sun
The ceremony kicked off with a short film starring French football legend Zinedine Zidane carrying the Olympic torch before he passed it local children who emerged in real life on the river banks.
Those watching from the banks of the famous river – as well as from their armchairs all over the world – were then treated to a quintessential Parisian performance of the Can-can dance with dancers dressed in pink lighting up the grey sky.
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The ceremony has dwelled on many aspects of the city’s history. The flame passed through the workshop of world-renowned French bag designer Louis Vuitton before a dance made reference to the rebuilding of the Notre Dame fire of 2019.
A heavy metal band burst into song in reference to the violence of the French Revolution, while an ode was paid to Victor Hugo’s novel Les Miserables and a ‘headless’ Marie Antoinette was seen along the route.
As the dance medley continues below on the banks of the river, the Olympic torch is being carried over the city’s stunning rooftops by a free-running athlete.
Speaking after her performance, Lady Gaga told the crowd: ‘I feel so completely grateful to have been asked to open the Paris Olympics 2024 this year.
Redeeming the night, Celine Dion made a highly anticipated appearance at the Opening Ceremony
An aerial view of the Eiffel Tower and the Olympics Rings lightened up during the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Zidane and Nadal hug as the Olympic torch is handed over
IOC president Thomas Bach speaks during the Opening Ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games
Tony Estanguet, President of Paris 2024 looks on during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024
‘I am also humbled to be asked by the Olympics organising committee to sing such a special French song – a song to honour the French people and their tremendous history of art, music and theatre.’
Amongst those attending the Opening Ceremony were a string of famous faces, including pop star Arianna Grande, Tennis champion Serena Williams and Hollywood royalty Stephen Spielberg.
Many arrived in the dry but shortly after the ceremony kicked off the heavens opened. VIPs and officials in the stadium ran to find cover under plastic rain macs as rain lashed down.
Hundreds of brollies were raised obscure in the view for many as the athletes, on 85 boats, headed down the river towards the Eiffel Tower.
A mechanical horse was seen travelling down the Seine carrying the Olympic flag down before a horse rider arrived at the Trocadero.
Three-time Olympic medalist and Paris 2024 president Tony Estanguet welcomed everyone to the games, telling the crowd: ‘For the next 16 days, you will be the best version of humanity.
‘You’ll remind us that the emotions of sport form a universal language that we all share. Until 11 August, we’ll be by your side.
‘Your defeats will be our defeats. Your victories will be our victories. Your emotions will be our emotions.’
Team GB ‘s boat will be lead by diver Tom Daley and rower Helen Glover who will wave the Union Flag to the crowd
PM Keir Starmer pulls on his raincoat to protect from the rain
A horsewoman carrying the Olympic Flag down the River Seine
The Olympic Ceremony in Paris has got underway with a performance from Lady Gaga
The American superstar wowed crowds as she performed a stunning Folie Bergiere style, singing entirely in French amid an plume of pink feathers.
British athletes wave to the crowds
President Macron and Olympic chief Thomas Bach were given only muted applause as they rose from their seats to greet the crowds, in a highly secure enclosure at the Eiffel Tower. The two men were luckier than most, remaining under cover in the VIP section.
Mr Bach called for unity at a time of conflict: ‘In a world torn apart by wars and conflicts, it is thanks to this solidarity that we can all come together tonight.’
The Olympic torch was then presented by Zidane who reappeared at Trocadero. He then handed to Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal, who hopped onto a boat back on the Seine.
He was then joined by American tennis player Serena Williams and US track athlete Carl Williams.
Tonight’s is the first Olympic ceremony in 33 games to be staged outside with the plan backfiring spectacularly leading to a surge of criticism.
One official, shielding from the rain, said:’It is such a shame that this rain has spoiled the evening. The French people have looked forward to this night for a very long time. But there’s nothing anybody can do about the weather. Let’s hope the rest of the Olympics is better.’
Another spectator from India said: ‘I have just seen the Indian team on the video screen on their boat and now I’m leaving. Enough is enough. I can’t take this rain anymore. I am 70 years old.’
Olympic organisers will be hoping the rest of tonight’s ceremony goes more smoothly after a ‘massive arson attack’ earlier today brought mayhem to France’s rail network – leaving both spectators and athletes stranded.
The ‘co-ordinated acts of malice’ on high-speed rail lines across the Channel has left sport fans facing travel chaos, with snaking queues forming at St Pancras today as Eurostar trains were delayed or axed.
Eurostar has told customers to cancel their trips today if they can – advice which was echoed by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who was seen sat in a prime seat at the stadium after travelling to France by plane instead of his planned route from St Pancras.
In a major blow to Olympics organisers, Eurostar delays are set to last until Monday, with one in four trains due to be cancelled today and over the weekend, with floods expected to drench the city overnight.
Grey skies over Paris as the 2024 Olympic Games kicks off
Crowds forced to wear ponchos and hold up brollies during the torrential rain
Let the games begin! The Opening Ceremony for the Paris 2024 Olympics is officially underway
Denmark’s King Frederik and Queen Mary at the games
We’re going to need a bigger boat! Huge Team USA boat sails down the Seine carrying hundreds of athletes
A gloomy night in Paris as the opening ceremony continues
Team New Zealand embrace the rain as they perform the Haka
Andy Murray waves a flag during the Olympic Ceremony
The first boats of athletes making their way down the River Seine
Spectators hold umbrellas in the rain in front of the Eiffel Tower ahead of the Opening Ceremony
Lady Gaga rehearses prior the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games
The Opening Ceremony has been plagued by bad weather
Athletes of the Refugee Olympic team arrive on the Seine
Chrissy Teigen put on a leggy display as she joined husband John Legend and children Luna, 8, and Miles, 6, at the Olympics Opening Ceremony at the Trocadero in Paris on Friday
Emmanuel Macron waves to people in the crowd as the Opening Ceremony gets underway
Prime Minsiter Keir Starmer protects from the rain wearing a Team GB rain coat
Sir Keir Starmer has arrive at the stadium
Ariana channelled her Good Witch Glinda character in a pale pink dress
The Olympic rings are displayed on the iconic Eiffel Tower, where the opening ceremony will end
Anna Wintour attended the red carpet event with n film director Baz Luhrmann
Cars pass in front of the Arc de Triomphe which is decorated with the colors of the Paralympic Games ahead of the opening ceremony
Spectators are pictured taking their seats hours before the ceremony in the pouring rain
Security patrol on the Seine River in Paris, France, ahead of the opening ceremony
British tennis star Katie Boulter seen on a boat with teammates ahead of the opening ceremony
A number of famous faces, including pop star Arianna Grande, Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour and renowned director Baz Lurthmann were spotted arriving with umbrellas in tow earlier today.
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Hollywood actress Zendaya, Rolling Stone rick icon Mick Jagger, basketball player LeBron James, actor Zac Efron, actress Queen Latifia, and rapper Snoop Dogg, were also seen in the crowd.
Celebrities will help form the huge crowd of 320,000 spectators watching across 124 grandstands. There were 222,000 free tickets available to watch the £115million parade from the upper banks and 104,000 paid-for tickets on the lower quays.
The route has been split into 12 sections: Enchanté; Synchronicity; Liberty; Equality; Fraternity; Sisterhood; Sportsmanship; Festivity; Darkness; Solidarity; Solemnity and Eternity.
Snippers spotted on the roof of the National Assembly ahead of the opening ceremony
King Philippe of Belgium spotted in the crowd with Queen Maxima
Fireworks explode ahead marking the start of the Olympic Ceremony
President Macron meets the President of the International Olympic Committee Thomas Bach
Former US Olympic snowboarded Shuan White and his partner Canadian actress Nina Dobrev attend the ceremony
A spectator in the crowd pulls on a plastic poncho to protect from the rain
Spectators cover themselves in plastic ponchos as the ceremony gets underway
The parade will end in front of the Trocadero, opposite the iconic Eiffel Tower, where the Olympic cauldron will be lit and the final shows will take place.
Dignitaries including US First Lady Jill Biden, Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Olaf Schultz and various members of European royalty will be President Emmanuel Macron’s special guests by the Eiffel Tower.
Today’s travel chaos, which follow 200 days of meticulous rehearsals, was the latest drama to engulf the Olympics.
Parisian Hermance Bonjasson, 42, who spoke to as she waited for a replacement train to take her to the Vendee on the Atlantic coast, said: ‘I’m embarrassed that the world see us like this. This should be a very proud day for France, not a day for sadness and annoyance.’
It comes after Team GB dressage star Charlotte Dujardin was forced to pull out of the Games on Monday amid a whipping scandal.
Dujardin, who was hoping to become Britain’s most decorated Olympian in Paris, was banned from competing by the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) after footage emerged of her whipping a horse 24 times ‘like a circus elephant’.
The 39-year-old claimed she made an ‘error of judgement’ and is ‘deeply ashamed’ of her actions.’
Tennis champion Serena Williams arrives at the Opening Ceremony
Lady Gaga pictured practicing ahead of tonight’s Opening Ceremony
Arianna Grande poses as she arrives for the Paris Opening Cerermony
Former tennis champion Boris Becker poses outside the Eiffel Tower
Spectators in rain gear sit ahead of the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Game
Anna Wintour with n film director Baz Luhrmann at the Trocadero
US rapper, artist and designer Pharell Williams during the 2024 Paris Olympic Games Torch Relay
US rapper Snoop Dogg carries the Olympic torch at the 2024 Summer Olympic
Former Olympian Michael Johnson of the United States arrives in Paris, France, before the opening ceremony
PARIS: Armed guards in Paris head of the start of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games
PARIS: Dozens of Eurostar passengers are pictured surrounding a train amid the delays
FRANCE: Employees of SNCF railway company speak to passengers waiting for their trains’ departure at the Gare Montparnasse train station
The Netherlands have also found themselves under the spotlight after convicted rapist Steven van de Velde was selected for their volleyball team.
The athlete was sentenced to four years in prison in 2016 after pleading guilty to raping a 12-year-old girl when he was 19.
He will not be staying at the Olympic Village and comments defending him from his team-mates have stirred further controversy.
Former marathon world champion Paula Radcliffe also apologised after she wished him the ‘best of luck’.
‘I am mortified that I expressed it so badly and didn’t condemn the rape out loud,’ said Radcliffe.
Earlier, in an interview with radio station LBC on Wednesday, she said: ‘I know that he is married now and has settled down.
‘I think it’s a tough thing to do to punish him twice and if he’s managed to successfully turn his life around after being sent to prison, and to qualify and to be playing sport at the highest level, then I actually wish him the best of luck.’
She was speaking about doping offenders being allowed to compete again after serving bans.
Today, another doping row reached boiling point as leading swimmers condemned the ‘failed’ China anti-doping investigation.
French President Emmanuel Macron is pictured this morning at the Elysee palace in Paris
French military personnel patrol outside Gare du Nord station in Paris after a ‘coordinated’ attack on rail infrastructure
Police patrols outside at the Louvre ahead of the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games
Spectators make their way through security checks ahead of the Opening Ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, in Paris, France, 26 July 2024
Caeleb Dressel, a seven-time Olympic gold medallist said he did not have confidence in the case involving positive drug tests from 23 Chinese athletes in the run-up to the last Olympics.
Earlier this month, an independent report backed the decision not to dispute the Chinese authorities’ claims that the swimmers ingested trimetazidine (TMZ) by contamination.
Eleven of those swimmers will compete for China in Paris.
When quizzed on whether he had confidence there was a level playing field in Paris, US swimming great Dressel said: ‘No, not really. I don’t think they have given us enough evidence to support them in how this case was handled.’
Details of the case were first made public in April, having not been shared at the time in 2021.
The World Anti-doping Agency (Wada) said it was ‘not in a position to disprove’ the conclusion made by the China Anti-Doping Agency (Chinada) and chose not to appeal.
In another scandal, Canada was forced to sack two staff members from their women’s football team after they used a drone to fly over and film the training sessions of rivals New Zealand.
Gendarmes outside the Gare Du Nord train station in Paris, France, after ‘malicious acts’ severely disrupted travel across the country
French organisers will be hoping the dust will settle as the opening ceremony marks the official start of the games.
That’s despite some of the action got underway two days prior on Wednesday.
The ceremony is an integral part of them Games; not only does it mark the start but it is an opportunity for people to discover the culture of the host country through music, dance and fireworks.
A total of 6,800 athletes – representing 206 countries – and close to 120 heads of states, sovereigns and heads of government will attend and participate in the ceremony.
The scope, size and overall spectacle of the opening ceremony improves every tournament, with each host nation bidding to out do the last and Paris will be no different.
For the first time, the opening ceremony will be held outside of a closed stadium, with Paris hosting a water parade for the Olympics.
During the parade, there will be over 2,000 artists, 1,000 loudspeakers and 1,800 costumers with the delegations and passengers passing by on the boats.
Although the floating parade was originally planned as a people’s party along the banks, the French police have intervened and for security reasons most spectators will be assigned to an area or allocated seats in fenced-off areas for the ceremony.
Each country will debut their athletes with one of their most prolific names holding their national or regional flags at the beginning of the ceremony.
Greece traditionally debut first as a nod to where the Olympics first originated, with the host country being last to feature.
The Olympic anthem will then ring out after the head of state of the host country announces the commencement of the Games.
The iconic Olympic flame will then be brought forward for the lighting of the main torch which is the culmination of the opening ceremony as well as the release of doves, symbolising peace amongst all countries.
Andy Murray will be among 39 Team GB competitors waving from the top of their vessel.
Each member will wear an exclusive Ben Sherman bomber jacket, featuring motifs of the national flowers of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The river’s historic quays have replaced the stands, and thousands of spectators will turn out to watch this unprecedented show, which will include performances on the city bridges.
The show is expected to climax in a lazer spectacular ending shortly after 11pm.
Bars and restaurants across Paris have been granted special permission to stay open until dawn for the city to revel in the party atmosphere.
Artistic Director of the ceremonies, Thomas Jolly, has recruited France’s best choreographers, composers, couturiers, circus performers, singers and up-and-coming talents to offer the world a glimpse into French culture.
He said: ‘This Ceremony is a reflection of the Games of Paris 2024, breaking conventions and inviting the unexpected with myriads of references, surprises, hints to French culture.
‘Dive into a merry and playful whirlwind as the first boats of the Parade of Athletes approach. Get ready for a journey through time and emotions.’
Opening the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, President Macron, of France, will say: ‘A century after the 1924 Games, our City of Light is being reunited with its Olympic ambitions in the most spectacular fashion.
‘The Opening Ceremony on the Seine River on 26 July will be an unprecedented spectacle in front of 300,000 people, with billions more watching on TV around the world.
‘It will kick off a 16-day competition which will mark history and leave a lasting legacy.
‘Like the events to come, it will combine the beauty of our heritage with that of the spectacle.
‘This moment of togetherness between humanity, our athletes and our artists will have one overriding goal: to usher in a new Olympic era, with an emphasis on sustainability, parity and building the future.
‘Through this ceremony, our country will show the world what it is.
‘Because France is not just the product of history, heritage, and culture passed down through the centuries.
‘It is an epic tale, a constant quest for freedom and progress.
‘True to its history, and like this exceptional ceremony which you will witness, it is universal.
‘Let the party begin!’
Meanwhile Mayor of Paris, Anne Higaldo, will say: ‘Paris is extremely proud to be hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games 2024.
‘They will be a communal celebration of sporting excellence, and an unforgettable moment of public festivity, with the Opening Ceremony laying the foundation stone.
‘The stands will move from the stadium to the riverbanks, giving way to an exceptional stage right in the heart of Paris. We will watch the parade of athletes from all countries, the mosaic of colours of all the flags, marching under the common banner of the Olympic values.
‘This global event has been made possible by meticulous preparations and an ambitious long-term approach, which began in 2016 with the opening of the riverbanks to pedestrians.’
On a day of excitement and chaos, US rapper Snoog Dogg carried the Olympic torch through Paris earlier on Friday – as viewers joked that it resembled a giant cannabis joint.
The rapper – famous the world over for his love of marijuana – is in Paris as a special correspondent for US TV network NBC and carried the Olympic flame on a short run around the Stade de France this morning.
For Paris 2024, Olympic organisers turned to French designer Mathieu Lehanneur, who said he drew inspiration from the themes of ‘equality, water and peacefulness’ in creating the curved steel beacon, which has ripples on its lower half.
But viewers watching Snoop – real name Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr – immediately thought of something else associated with the rapper as it burned at one end: a rippling cannabis joint.
Concerns over security have led to the biggest military and police operation in France in peacetime.
Surface-to-air missiles and 75,000 police, army and security guards are part of the largest peacetime deployment of force in France’s history for the Olympics opening ceremony.
Teams of frogmen have been sweeping the River Seine for explosives in the past few days, while drones and a police surveillance helicopter whirred above them, and demining units scoured quays and nearby streets.
Around 250 British officers and 50 police dogs will be in France during the Olympics, as part of the £350 million security operation.
In another blow to organisers, France’s metrological office has issues a yellow alert, warning of rain and flooding in Paris. One meteorologist has described it as a ‘disaster’.
Some Parisians have forsaken the annual exodus from the capital to the country’s beaches and mountains to watch the Games.
Among them are Marcel and Jeanne, a middle-aged couple from Montmartre.
Marcel, 42, an insurance broker said: ‘Normally Paris is empty in August because everyone goes on holiday, and we do same.
‘But this year we have decided to stay and watch some of the events.’