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Celine Dion won't appear at Olympic closing ceremonies: publicist

Winnipeg Free Press
By: Nick Patch, The Canadian Press
2/24/10

VANCOUVER - For those fans waiting with bated breath to see Celine Dion make an appearance at the Olympic Games' closing ceremonies — well, your hearts will have to go on.

A publicist for the superstar confirmed to The Canadian Press on Tuesday that she would not appear at Sunday's Olympic festivities in Vancouver.

"She will not be there," wrote Dion spokesperson Kim Jakwerth in an email.

VANOC has said that Dion was invited to perform during the Olympic festivities but declined.

But just prior to the opening of the Games, Dion missed the Quebec premiere of her new movie, "Celine: Through the Eyes of the World," because she was in a U.S. hospital trying to conceive a second child.

Without Dion, fans are left to speculate on which Canadian stars might appear during the closing bash.

The opening featured Sarah McLachlan, Nelly Furtado, Bryan Adams, Garou, k.d. lang and Loreena McKennitt.

An online poll conducted on People Magazine's website asked readers which Canadian pop starlet should see the stage during the festivities. Dion went up against Shania Twain, Avril Lavigne, Furtado and Alanis Morissette.

Twain was the winner, with a stunning 62 per cent of the vote.

The country music star has kept a low profile over the past few years and hasn't released a record of new material since 2002's "Up."

While she's resurfaced lately — she appeared as a guest judge on "American Idol" and jogged the Olympic torch through her hometown of Timmins, Ont. — it would be an astonishing surprise to see her take the stage at B.C. Place on Sunday.

Twain's publicist declined to offer any information when reached Tuesday.

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