There's more cheering than you’d expect in a stadium without fans. Members of delegations, Olympics staffers and volunteers are letting out big cheers whenever anyone nails an impressive routine. You can make out a distinct voice from the crowd though — the one person who seems to know everyone on the floor. Simone Biles is cheering for many gymnasts — Brazilians, Americans and French alike so far — by their first names.
It seems that we have more and more fans here at gymnastics with every women’s event. By the last day of the competition -- the balance beam final next week -- this place might just be as packed as it could be, considering Covid-19 restrictions.