Celine Dion performs onstage during the 2017 Billboard Music Awards at T-Mobile Arena on May 21, 2017 in Las Vegas.
Ethan Miller/Getty Images
It only comes every four years — maybe five or three if a global pandemic interferes — but the summer Olympics are finally back. And this time, the Games are being held in Paris, with more than 10,000 athletes gearing up to bring the heat and compete for gold, silver and bronze medals across hundreds of different sporting events.
But while the two-plus-week festivities have already technically kicked off with events starting on Wednesday (July 24), they’ll get fully underway this Friday — with a spectacular opening ceremony on the Seine, marking the first time in history that the summer event’s kickoff doesn’t take place in a stadium. The international celebration will be complete with the traditional torch-lighting ceremony following a months-long relay across France, plus rumored performances from some of the world’s biggest stars.
And though athleticism is certainly at the heart of the Olympics, the Games are also sure to be a booming hub for pop culture in 2024. Several different celebrities are on board to provide commentary on site, while others will likely flock to the City of Love to cheer on their home countries and support their favorite team members — including USA’s Simone Biles, Noah Lyles, Sha’Carri Richardson, Katie Ledecky, Diana Taurasi and Steph Curry.
As the wait for the Games gets smaller and smaller, Billboard is rounding up the top highlights we can’t wait to see play out in Paris this summer. From A-list commentators to celebrity appearances and Swiftie gymnastic routines — plus the inauguration of a brand new Olympic sport — keep reading to see which moments we’re most looking forward to below.
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The Torch Lighting (Thanks, Jin!)
The momentous lighting of the Olympic cauldron in Paris will be one of the biggest moments of the 2024 opening ceremony on the Seine, preceded by a months-long torch relay beginning in Greece. BTS’ Jin was one of many participants in the relay, helping to carry the flame through a stretch in the City of Love that went by the Louvre.
Snoop Dogg is also set to participate in the final leg of the relay by carrying the torch on part of its journey to the opening ceremony.
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Snoop Dogg’s Commentary
Speaking of the Doggfather, Snoop is set to join NBC’s Mike Tirico as part of Primetime in Paris to provide wall-to-wall coverage of the Olympic competitions, go behind the scenes with some of the athletes, check out some of the city’s landmarks and provide his unique commentary.
“I grew up watching the Olympics and am thrilled to see the incredible athletes bring their A-game to Paris,” he said in a statement in January. “It’s a celebration of skill, dedication, and the pursuit of greatness. We’re going to have some amazing competitions and, of course, I will be bringing that Snoop style to the mix. It’s going to be the most epic Olympics ever, so stay tuned and keep it locked.”
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Kelly Clarkson’s Hosting
Also on the commentary team for the Games’ opening ceremony is Kelly Clarkson, who will host the event for NBC alongside Tirico and Peyton Manning. The trio made the announcement during a group appearance on The Tonight Show, where they also did some early prepping with a round of “Olympictionary.”
“We’ve been holding this forever,” she said of the news at the time also revealing which fictional sport she could easily win Gold in: “I am the Simone Biles of LEGOs. I am incredible at LEGOs.”
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Celine Dion’s Comeback
According to a report from Variety, Celine Dion is set to make her highly anticipated comeback at the 2024 opening ceremonies, taking the stage for the very first time since halting her touring schedule due to her Stiff Person Syndrome diagnosis in 2022. In her I Am: Celine Dion documentary, she showed fans how hard she was working to overcome muscle issues caused by the disorder and get back into performing shape — meaning, in addition to her being one of this century’s most gifted vocalists, that anything she does at the Games will most likely be magnificent.
Three days before the opening ceremony, Dion was spotted flashing smiles outside of a hotel in Paris.
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Lady Gaga’s (Rumored) Performance
Lady Gaga is also rumored to perform at the opening ceremonies, and was recently spotted in Paris days beforehand. The Olympics previously teased that a theatrical special guest is set to appear, posting a cryptic video starring a hooded figure that many believed to be the “Rain on Me” singer.
Later, reports surfaced that Gaga and Dion would actually be taking the stage together, potentially teaming up for a duet of the classic “La Vie en Rose.”
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Celebrity Sightings
As always, the Games are sure to attract a number of celebrity guests this year. From musicians to Hollywood stars, we can’t wait to see who shows.
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Flavor Flav’s Water Polo Hype
One celeb who’s definitely headed to Paris is Flavor Flav, who’s taken on the role of sponsor for the U.S. women’s water polo team this year. The rapper is providing financial backing for the unit and recently gifted each athlete with a Virgin Voyage cruise as well as a $1,000 bonus, and he plans on attending the Games’ opening ceremony to cheer them on come July 26.
“These women out here… the women’s water polo team they out there bustin’ their butt to make United States look good,” Flav said on CBS Mornings in early July. “And they chasin’ this dream, you know what I’m sayin’?”
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Simone Biles’ Swiftie Floor Routine
Simone Biles’ floor routine is a Swiftie favorite this year, with the gold medalist debuting her powerful, highly skilled selection of tumbling passes set to Taylor Swift’s “Ready for It?” at the Olympic trials earlier this year. Even the pop star weighed in, commenting on X, “Watched this so many times and still unready. She’s ready for it tho👏👏👏🥇🇺🇸❤️”
Fans will get to see the Reputation-esque routine again after women’s gymnastics events kick off July 28, with the floor exercise final slated for Aug. 5.
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The First Ever Breakdancing Olympics
For the first time ever, breakdancing will be an Olympic event once the 2024 Olympics roll around. The competition is set to be fierce and full of cool music — and of course, fair amounts of popping and locking.
The one-on-one breaking battles begin Aug. 9 for women and Aug. 10 for men. “It’s all based off of improvising and adapting in the moment,” Victor Montalvo, one of four breakdancers on Team USA, recently told Billboard. “You never know what’s going to happen.”
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Kevin Hart & Kenan Thompson’s Recaps
Kevin Hart and Kenan Thompson are set to give a comedic twist to the events at the Olympics by hosting an eight-episode recap series that will air over the course of the Games. Simply titled Olympic Highlights, the show will premiere July 26 on Peacock and follows their 2022 partnership Back That Year Up.
“We can’t wait to be a part of the Paris Olympics and help hype up the audience with highlights from the best moments of the Games,” Hart said in a statement. “We’re going for gold, everybody!”