Dion took her diagnosis public in 2022, revealing that she was suffering from a rare and not commonly understood condition, which affects just one in a million people.

“While we’re still learning about this rare condition, we now know this is what’s been causing all of the spasms that I’ve been having,” Dion said. “Unfortunately, these spasms affect every aspect of my daily life, sometimes causing difficulties when I walk and not allowing me to use my vocal cords to sing the way I’m used to.”

Stiff-person syndrome described as “a rare, progressive syndrome that affects the nervous system, specifically the brain and spinal cord.” Among its symptoms: muscle rigidity, painful spasms and impaired mobility.

Resplendent in a beaded cream gown, and standing on the first level of the Eiffel Tower, Dion’s performance of Piaf’s masterpiece was flawless, but all you had to do was look into her eyes, and you could see the incredible endurance needed to get through the song.

It was also confirmation that the slow rebuilding of her voice has produced an extraordinary result, and that the woman whose career spans the Eurovision-winning song Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi, and the Titanic soundtrack hit My Heart Will Go On, has lost none of her magic.

Italian singer Laura Pausini seemed to speak for everyone when she said: “My hands were shaking and my eyes were crying as I listened and saw my beloved Celine Dion.”

Dion’s Olympic performance was almost a call to arms for her fans. American singer Kelly Clarkson, who is in Paris and working for the American broadcaster NBC as a host, broke down in tears when asked for a comment.

“If you know anything about what she’s going through right now ... I’m so sorry, I’m trying to hold it together ... but that she got through that, that was incredible,” Clarkson said. Cameras also caught Canadian high diver Molly Carlson crying.

Fans offered flowers to Dion as she exited the Eiffel Tower after the performance and later, outside her hotel, the crowd chanted “Celine!”

Dion has been working with neurologist Dr Amanda Piquet at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, Colorado. The campus takes its name from American billionaire Philip Anschutz and his wife Nancy, who have made substantial donations to the university.

Loading

Anschutz is also the owner of AEG, or Anschutz Entertainment Group, the American concert production company which would, according to TMZ, likely produce Dion’s return residency in Las Vegas.

“My voice will be rebuilt,” Dion told the BBC in an interview last month. “It started a while ago already, my voice is being rebuilt as we speak, right now.”

“We have been working so hard to put this show together, because I’m back.”

And speaking to Hoda Kotb, one of the co-hosts of the American Today program, Dion said: “I’m going to go back onstage even if I have to crawl. Even if I have to talk with my hands, I will.”