Olympic fans, including event host Kelly Clarkson, were nearly moved to tears as Celine Dion delivered a breathtaking performance atop the Eiffel Tower while the Olympic torch floated away. The event charmed millions of viewers worldwide, with some calling it "one of the most purely beautiful moments imaginable." The Olympic Torch Relay route crossed the Mediterranean Sea to Marseille, then traveled throughout France and arrived at Seine-Saint-Denis during the ceremony.
Among the notable torchbearers for the event were Snoop Dogg , Pharrell Williams and Tony Parker. From the 11,000 torchbearers, record-breaking French freediver Alice Modolo stood out by carrying the flame underneath the Mediterranean Sea. Charles Coste, the oldest French Olympic champion at 100, took the Olympic flame from his wheelchair, then passed it on to French judo great Teddy Riner and sprinter Marie-Jose Perec.
Olympics torchbearer identity as viewers make guesses about masked person Simone Biles' mom humiliates Snoop Dogg during Olympics opening ceremony Together, they lit a cauldron attached to a giant balloon, which floated into the Paris night to the soaring voice of Dion, the 55-year-old international music sensation fighting a rare neurological disorder called stiff-person syndrome. The disorder causes debilitating muscle stiffness and randomly triggered spasms and forced the Canadian star to cancel her 42-date Courage World Tour in 2023. But in a display of resilience, Dion took center stage in Paris, bathed in the glow of the Olympic rings atop the Eiffel Tower.
Her surprise appearance at the Olympics left fans in awe, though whispers of her return had been circulating after she was seen sporting a $7,000 Dior tracksuit in the city earlier in the week. As the five-time Grammy Award winner delivered a powerful rendition of Edith Piaf's 1949 classic "Hymne A L'Amour," the Olympic torch floated away, marking the end of the opening ceremony and the official start of the games. The memorable moment captivated millions, including Clarkson , blending the timeless signature sounds of Dion's voice with the historic allure of the historic monument.
During the broadcast, Clarkson was speechless and sobbed as Dion's voice echoed across the Seine. Overcome with emotion, Clarkson later apologized and praised Dion's strength to deliver such a performance. Fans online wholeheartedly agreed, sharing their admiration and the emotional impact of the moment as the torch floated away.
One user on X wrote, "Kelly Clarkson sobbing at Celine kind of makes up for the rest of that desk for the past few hours." Another fan wrote, "One of the most beautiful shows ever created," while someone else added, "The most purest moment of my lifetime." The praise for the scenes continued to pour in, with another X user saying, "A spectacular performance—so glad to hear Celine’s amazing voice return.
Her stirring and beautiful vocal as the finale was the highlight of the opening ceremony music." The games will officially start with men's soccer, in a Group C game between Uzbekistan and Spain and Argentina versus Morocco, both beginning at 9 a.m.
ET on ceremony day. Athletes from around the globe will compete in 329 events, including rowing, gymnastics, basketball, swimming, cycling, wrestling, and more..
