Celine Dion shares touching message after first performance in 4 years at Olympics amid health woes

Celine Dion stunned crowds at the opening ceremony of the Summer Olympics 2024 in Paris on Friday as she performed for the first time in four years .

The music icon, 56, has stayed out of the limelight for a number of years as it came to light she has been diagnosed with Stiff Person Syndrome . However, the My Heart Will Go On singer put on a show-stopping performance on top of the Eiffel Tower in the French capital to get the Olympic Games underway.

Now, after wowing viewers across the globe with a faultless rendition of Édith Piaf's Hymne A L'Amour, Celine has shared a touching statement on her Instagram to explain how she felt in the moment.

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"I'm honored to have performed tonight, for the Paris 2024 Opening Ceremony," the songstress penned on Instagram shortly after the occasion. While sharing snaps from the evening, she explained she was "so full of joy to be back in one of my very favorite cities!"

Celine then took a moment to share a message with the athletes set to compete at the Games. "I'm so happy to be celebrating these amazing athletes, with all their stories of sacrifice and determination, pain and perseverance," she continued.

"All of you have been so focused on your dream, and whether or not you take home a medal, I hope that being here means that it has come true for you. You should all be so proud, we know how hard you have worked to be the best of the best. Stay focused, keep going, my heart is with you!"

Celine's performance on the night left co-host Kelly Clarkson in tears. The former American Idol winner couldn't help but gush about how she had been "inspired" by Celine after she marked her first performance since her health diagnosis.

In 2022, Celine canceled all of her tour dates for 2023 and 2024. In an Instagram post at the time, she shared that she had been 'dealing with health problems for a long time' and was now grappling with stiff person syndrome (SPS) .

SPS is a rare, progressive syndrome that primarily affects the nervous system. It specifically affects a person's brain and spinal cord and, according to the Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center, fewer than 5,000 people in the US have been diagnosed with this condition.

Those with SPS can experience chronic pain, frequent falls, and a loss of mobility. The condition can also trigger increased sensitivity to noise, sudden movements, and emotional distress, leading to muscle spasms.

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