Celine Dion performs at Olympics opening ceremony in Paris
PARIS - Celine Dion performed at the 2024 Olympics opening ceremony Friday in her first live performance since her stiff person syndrome diagnosis.
The French-Canadian singer closed the ceremony immediately after the lighting of the Olympic cauldron with a performance from the first stage of the Eiffel Tower. She sang Edith Piaf’s "L’Hymne à l’amour."
Dressed in a beaded, glittering dress, Dion concluded her performance on a heartfelt note, showing emotion as it came to an end.
In 2022, the singer revealed that she had been diagnosed with the rare neurological disorder in a tearful video shared with fans, forcing her to postpone her tour.
![](https://images.foxtv.com/static.livenowfox.com/www.livenowfox.com/content/uploads/2024/07/932/524/celine-dion-getty.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Celine Dion diagnosed with stiff person syndrome
The 54-year-old said in an Instagram video that she had "always been an open book, and I wasn't ready to say anything before – but I'm ready now."
"I've been dealing with problems with my health for a long time. And it's been really difficult for me to face these challenges and talk about everything that I've been going through," Dion said.
She then revealed that she had been diagnosed with stiff person syndrome (SPS), which she explained had been causing severe muscle spasms. SPS is a rare, progressive syndrome that affects the nervous system, specifically the brain and spinal cord, according to the National Institutes of Health.
![](https://images.foxtv.com/static.livenowfox.com/www.livenowfox.com/content/uploads/2024/07/932/524/olympics-celine-dion-getty-2.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
In the U.S., the disease is estimated to affect fewer than 5,000 people, according to the NIH.
Symptoms can include "extreme muscle stiffness, rigidity and painful spasms in the trunk and limbs, severely impairing mobility," the NIH said. Spasms can generate enough force to fracture a bone.
RELATED: Celine Dion reveals rare neurological disorder, reschedules 2023 tour dates
In June, at the premiere of the documentary "I Am: Celine Dion," she told The Associated Press that returning required therapy, "physically, mentally, emotionally, vocally."
"So that’s why it takes a while. But absolutely why we’re doing this because I’m already a little bit back," she said.
In February, she received a standing ovation at the Grammys when she made a surprise appearance to present the final award.
This story was reported from Los Angeles. The Associated Press contributed.