Biles, the most decorated gymnast in history, will return to her third Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2021 after withdrawing from most competitions due to mental health issues.
She is leading a veteran team looking to exact revenge after the U.S. finished second in Tokyo, ending its hopes of winning a third consecutive Olympic team title after successes in 2012 and 2016.
“It's awesome,” Cruz said in the arena stands.
“Great stories, great athletes. It's incredible what they're doing.”
Legend and his wife, Chrissy Teigen, say there's nowhere else they'd rather be. “This was on our bucket list. We definitely wanted to come to this event,” he said.
“They represent the best of America and we are so proud and excited for them. Go USA.”
The sold-out arena erupted when the U.S. team was announced and erupted in deafening cheers when Biles, a four-time Olympic gold medalist, was introduced.
Biles suddenly withdrew from the team final at the Tokyo Olympics after suffering from “twisties,” a condition in which she temporarily loses spatial awareness during a difficult routine.
On Sunday, she propelled the overwhelming favorite to win the team championship to the top of the qualifying standings. The top eight will advance to the finals on Tuesday. “She's really tenacious,” NFL great Larry Fitzgerald said.
“It's really nice to be able to get through that and get back to doing something.”
Technical leader Chelsea Memmel said the team can handle the pressure of performing in front of a star-studded crowd.
“They enter the arena with blinders on and just focus on their job,” she said.
“But the energy in the arena just gives them an extra push. It gives them extra energy. I think it's great.” A 5-year-old Biles superfan named Georgia, who was in the stands with her father, Andrew Pierce, from Alabama, said she plans to follow in her idol's footsteps as she performed some impressive gymnastic moves in the aisles outside the arena. “I'm practicing because I want to go to the Olympics when I grow up,” she said.
