Alice Kinsella kicks off second Olympics in front of an all-star crowd

By Will Jennings in Paris

TOM Cruise watched Alice Kinsella and Britain’s women’s gymnasts kick off their campaign to become Paris Olympic box office hits.

The Sutton Coldfield star, 23, combined with Becky Downie, Georgia Mae-Fenton, Ruby Evans and Abi Martin to put themselves in a strong position to qualify for Tuesday’s final.

And watching on at the state-of-the-art Bercy Arena was Hollywood royalty Cruise, joined by singers Ariana Grande and Snoop Dogg to watch American superstar Simone Biles compete later in the morning.

Kinsella looked disappointed with her floor routine but on top of the team event, still looks well placed to advance to the all-around final later this week.

Her teammates loved strutting their stuff in front of a star-studded film and pop line-up – also including actress Jessica Chastain – and hope minor adjustments can fire them towards the medals in France.

Mae-Fenton, 23, said: “I was not aware [they were there] – I saw a YouTuber I watch called Emma Chamberlain too, so that was a bit surreal.

“I don’t think we realise how big it is - when we get home it will kind of sink in.

“I’m just trying to take it as another competition with the rings everywhere, so I’ll try to not put too much pressure on it.

“I would have liked to have done a better bar routine for myself and team so want to sort that out for the final – it was a pretty clean competition but there are bits here and there to sort out.”

Evans, who suffered a fall on the bars, joked: “I didn't even know they were there. What the hell?

“I feel great then - to know you can be in front of those people.

“It’s amazing - I didn't really know but they’ve seen me fall on my face now!”

Britain’s gymnasts make up some of over 1,000 elite athletes on UK Sport’s National Lottery-funded World Class Programme, allowing them to train full time, have access to the world’s best coaches and benefit from pioneering medical support – which has been vital on their pathway to the Paris 2024 Games.

Team GB toppled Romania in Sunday morning’s opening session and look set to compete for a medal in Tuesday’s hotly-anticipated final.

But to do so they will have to battle it out with the formidable USA, with four-time Olympic champion Biles back firing on all cylinders after her Tokyo turmoil three years ago.

Biles suffered from the ‘twisties’ - a psychological phenomenon causing a gymnast to lose air awareness while performing twisting elements – in the Japanese capital but was firmly back to her best with a dazzling qualification display on Sunday.

And speaking of the influence of the remarkable 23-time world champion, Mae-Fenton added: “Simone is amazing and such an inspiration.

“We’re all doing our own competition and she does her own – no one will ever be able to compete with her.

“It’s still inspiring and amazing to be able to watch and be in the same facility as her.”

With more than £30M a week raised for Good Causes, including vital funding into elite and grassroots sport, National Lottery players support our Olympic and Paralympic athletes to live their dreams and make the nation proud, as well as providing more opportunities for people to take part in sport. To find out more visit: www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk