“It would be fantastic news” if Celine Dion performed at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics, French President Emmanuel Macron has said, amid speculation she would make an appearance.
The Canadian singer was pictured in the French capital ahead of the opening ceremony on Friday.
But Mr Macron would not confirm whether the My Heart Will Go On singer would take part.
Dion, who records music in both English and French, is among a host of stars, including Lady Gaga, rumoured to be attending the event.
“Apparently she has arrived in Paris, it’s great!” Mr Macron said on France 2.
“I would be immensely happy if she could be present at this opening ceremony, like all our compatriots.”
“I won’t reveal anything, though [opening ceremony director] Thomas Jolly and all his teams have prepared. There is also a surprise,” he added, before continuing with a smile: “I am not responsible for his schedule.”
An appearance by Dion would mark a return after she was diagnosed with stiff person syndrome in December 2022, forcing her to cancel several live shows.
The syndrome is a neurological condition that causes muscle spasms.
It would also be the second time that Celine Dion, dubbed the “queen of power ballads,” has performed at an Olympic opening ceremony, having previously performed in Atlanta in 1996.
She was seen outside her hotel surrounded by fans on Tuesday.
Fan Océane Moulin, 24, said: “For me she is the best singer and a diva and it’s amazing to be able to see her here in France, especially after everything that happened, it’s nice to see her here in good shape.”
They added that “it would be amazing” if it happened.
Last month, the Minister of Sports and the Olympic Games, Amélie Oudéa, declared on France 2 that the participation of Céline Dion in the opening ceremony “was within the realm of possibility”.
There have also been rumors that Lady Gaga could perform at the opening ceremony. She was pictured arriving in Paris on Monday.
The pop icon sang Edith Piaf’s La Môme in the 2018 film A Star Is Born.
French R&B singer Aya Nakamura is also said to be performing.
For the first time in the history of the Summer Olympics, the opening ceremony will not take place in a stadium. It will take place along the Seine, with extensive security.
The athletes will parade in boats through the centre of Paris, before ending at the foot of the Eiffel Tower.
The show was conceived by theatre director Thomas Jolly. In an interview with the AP news agency, he said, without comment: “All I can tell you is that it will be very meaningful for the artists who will be performing.”