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Celine Dion shares powerful personal message about 'overcoming challenges' for special Olympics appearance

The 2024 Olympics Games will kick off on July 26 in Paris, France  

Rebecca Lewis
Rebecca Lewis - Los Angeles
ReporterLos Angeles
On 19 April 2024
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Celine Dion has teamed up with the Canadian Olympics team to cheer on this year's athletes, acknowledging her own health issues to share how everyone is "capable of overcoming our own challenges". 

The singer has voiced a promotional video in French-Canadian and in a statement she shared: "The stories of these athletes inspire me. I cannot wait to see what each of them accomplishes when they go for it in Paris this summer, where I hope they will also inspire the world. 

"It was an honor to be part of this campaign and to help tell their stories." 

L’invincible courage | Équipe Canada | Paris 2024

Michael J Fox is also part of the campaign; "I'm so proud to be part of this campaign," said the Back to the Future actor, who also voices the English-language video to accompany the campaign. 

"It's amazing to see what these athletes have overcome in order to achieve greatness. I think that story is so important, and we can all relate to that struggle to persevere despite the odds. I consider myself part of Team Canada, and I'll be cheering them all on as they compete in Paris this summer."   

View post on Instagram
 

The promotional campaign follows nine Canadian athletes and the obstacles they must overcome to compete on the world stage, including gymnast Ellie Black, weightlifter Maude Charron, and swimmer Hugo Houle. 

Celine has been keeping a low profile ever since she stepped out of the spotlight in October 2021 following her decision top share that she was diagnosed with the rare disease, stiff person syndrome, The syndrome induces muscle spasms that forced her to cancel her Las Vegas residency and postponed the North American and European legs of her Courage world tour. 

Céline Dion attends the 66th GRAMMY Awards at Crypto.com Arena on February 04, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.© Getty Images
Celine Dion attends the 66th GRAMMY Awards in 2024

Stiff person syndrome is a rare neurological disorder, and symptoms include muscle rigidity in the trunk and arms, often triggered by noise, touch, and emotional distress. People with stiff person syndrome suffer from frequent falls because they lack defensive reflexes to save themselves. Sufferers are often unable to walk or move, and it's twice as common in women than in men. 

The 2024 Olympics will take place in Paris, and sports commentator Mike Tirico, former NFl quarterback Peyton Manning, and singer turned talk show host Kelly Clarkson have been named the NBC hosts of the opening ceremony of the Olympics in Paris this summer. 

The Games will kick off on July 26 at the French capital and will air in the United States on NBC

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