Is Celine Dion set for an astonishing return to sing at the Olympics after fears she would never perform again?
The stricken Celine Dion, the queen of Power Ballads, could make a sensational comeback and open the Olympic Games next month.
There were fears the Canadian star, 56, would never perform again after canceling a world tour last year due to a rare neurological disease.
But now reports on the Channel say the My Heart Will Go On singer will be one of two acts opening Paris 2024.
There are even claims – strongly denied by the Elysee Palace – that there is a president Emmanuel Macron has chosen the stars to perform on the day and offered them £2.3 million from the public purse.
It would be a remarkable comeback for Ms Dion, who revealed last year that she suffers from painful stiffness syndrome.
Celine Dion performing live at Barclaycard Presents British Summer Time Hyde Park in July 2019
Celine Dion and Taylor Swift attended the 66th Annual Grammy Awards in February earlier this year
About one in a million people are affected by the condition, where they experience stiffness in their torso and limbs, which can cause them to fall.
The spasms can occur randomly or be triggered by stimuli including loud noises, touch, and emotional distress.
After canceling dozens of performances around the world, Ms Dion revealed that singing with the disease “is like someone is strangling you”.
The spasms, which occur all over her body, can be so intense that she has broken her ribs.
She spoke movingly about her vigorous training regimen in an interview in April.
“I undergo athletic, physical and voice therapy five days a week,” she said. ‘I’m working on my toes, knees, calves, my fingers, my singing, my voice…’
She said she felt like she had two choices: “Either I train like an athlete and work super hard, or I switch off and it’s over, I stay home, listen to my songs, stand in front of my mirror and sing to myself. ‘
She then sparked rumors that she might open the Olympics by saying she wanted to “see the Eiffel Tower again.”
Celine Dion performs during the opening night of her new world tour “Courage” at the Videotron Center in Quebec in 2019
Celine Dion speaks on stage at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards in February
She said: ‘I have chosen to work with a medical team with my whole body and soul, from head to toe. I want to be the best I can be. My goal is to see the Eiffel Tower again.’
Last week, French satirical newspaper Le Canard Enchaine reported that Ms Dion and French-Malian singer Aya Nakamura were tipped to open Paris 2024.
Other publications subsequently followed up on the claim.
Ms. Dion made a surprise appearance at the Grammy Awards last February when she presented Taylor Swift with the Album of the Year gong.
She received a standing ovation when she walked onto the stage and told the audience, “Thank you all. I love you right back.”
She previously opened the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta in the US by singing The Power Of The Dream. That was seen by 3.5 billion people worldwide.
A Paris 2024 spokesperson said of Ms Dion: “We will all have to remain patient to maintain the surprises we have in store that will make this ceremony unforgettable.”
