Olympics: Céline Dion's powerful comeback had Quebec athletes bursting with pride

Céline Dion made a surprise comeback at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games when she performed from the middle of the Eiffel Tower — and Quebec athletes in Paris couldn't contain their pride.

This was the iconic singer's first performance in years since her battle with Stiff Person Syndrome rendered her out of commission, causing her to cancel her Courage World Tour.

Returning to the stage, which as we mentioned was literally on the Eiffel Towel (um... epic), the five-time Grammy winner and Quebecoise idol belted out a powerful and emotional rendition of Édith Piaf's “Hymne A L’Amour.”

"I am speechless. I have no words for that. Crazy," said Montreal high diver Molly Carlson, as she wiped away tears in an Instagram video that showed her watching Dion's performance. While Carlson — who won a gold medal at the 2023 World Aquatics High Diving World Cup — isn't competing at the Olympics this year, she is there on behalf of NBC, working as a content correspondent.

Meanwhile, Gatineau cyclist Ariane Bonhomme, who will be competing in the women's team pursuit event, also took to social media to express how much Dion's performance meant to her.

"This comeback. My heart. Everything," she wrote, posting to Instagram from the opening ceremony. "When I was younger I thought Celine Dion was the only singer in the world (lol) but tonight she really is."

An Instagram story from Ariane Bonhomme about Céline Dion's Olympics performance. @arianebonhomme | Instagram

Although there's no denying that Dion's vocals and stage presence left spectators dazzled, her legendary status means the hype started building hours before the opening ceremony.

Even when her appearance was no more than rumours swirling around the Olympic Village and across the French capital, excitement was building among Quebec athletes, as evidenced by a video of Montreal-born rower Kasia Gruchalla-Wesierski lip-syncing to "It's All Coming Back to Me Now" at what appears to be an Olympic training facility.

"Consider this my official background vocalist audition for the Queen," Gruchalla-Wesierski captioned the post on Instagram.

Should Gruchalla-Wesierski not make it as a background vocalist, she'll be "performing" as a Women's Eight Team Canada rower at 6 a.m. Eastern Time this Monday.

And, as the Games begin, it seems Dion will be watching the athletes with as much respect for their "sacrifice, determination, pain and perseverance" as they have for hers.

"I’m honored to have performed tonight, for the Paris 2024 Opening Ceremony, and so full of joy to be back in one of my very favorite cities! Most of all, I’m so happy to be celebrating these amazing athletes, with all their stories of sacrifice and determination, pain and perseverance," Dion posted to X (formerly Twitter) after the performance.

"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!"