The 2024 Summer Olympics kicked off with a dazzling opening ceremony in Paris on Friday, July 26, but it was Celine Dion’s triumphant performance atop the Eiffel Tower that truly stole the show.
Adorned in crystals and battling Stiff-Person Syndrome, Dion delivered a heartfelt rendition of “Hymne à L’amour” by Édith Piaf, with the Eiffel Tower sparkling in the background. Her return to the stage after a prolonged hiatus left the audience in awe and marked a poignant highlight of the night.
The ceremony, held on the iconic Seine River, featured a boat-based Parade of Nations despite the rainy weather. The elaborate event featured 85 boats, 205 delegations, and 6,800 athletes.
Leading the team were flagbearers Coco Gauff and LeBron James, making history as the first tennis player and basketball player to receive this honour.
The evening was filled with star-studded performances celebrating French culture. Lady Gaga captivated the audience early in the event with her rendition of “Mon Truc en Plumes” by Zizi Jeanmaire.
Wearing a chic black corset and skirt, Gaga danced alongside performers adorned with fluffy pink poofs before sitting at a waterside piano.
In an Instagram post following her performance, Gaga expressed her gratitude: “I hope you love this performance as much as I do. And to everyone in France, thank you so much for welcoming me to your country to sing in honour of you — it’s a gift I’ll never forget!”
French music sensation Aya Nakamura also lit up the stage from the Pont des Arts bridge, dazzling in a golden, glittering feather dress by Dior. Nakamura, described by French media as the world’s most-streamed French performer, enthralled audiences with her hit “Pookie” as fireworks illuminated the night sky.
The Olympic torch made a dramatic journey to the ceremony, with a delegation of notable athletes carrying it aboard a speedboat. Iconic French soccer player Zinedine Zidane initiated the relay, passing the torch to 14-time French Open champion Rafael Nadal.
Nadal, joined by gymnast Nadia Comănici, tennis legend Serena Williams, and track and field star Carl Lewis, transported the torch down the Seine. Tennis player Amelie Mauresmo then continued the relay, passing the torch to basketball great Tony Parker.
The torch was eventually passed to French triathlete Alexis Hanquinquant and handball star Michaël Guigou, culminating with French Olympians Teddy Riner and Marie-José Perec lighting the cauldron, designed in the shape of a hot air balloon.
Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee, addressed the athletes and spectators from the Trocadéro, welcoming “the best athletes in the world” and emphasizing the significance of being part of the Olympic community.
The ceremony also featured the raising of the Olympic flag by France’s Republican Guard at the Palais du Trocadéro. However, a minor hiccup occurred as the flag was raised upside down, with the green and yellow rings appearing at the top instead of the bottom.
Despite the rainy weather and minor mishaps, the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics was a dazzling celebration of sport, culture, and international unity. Celine Dion’s unforgettable performance set the tone for what promises to be an extraordinary 16 days of competition.
