They may be under the most intense pressure they will likely ever face in their professional careers, but the US gymnastic team are still having a great time at the 2016 Olympics.
Such a great time, in fact, that their trainer has had to instruct the squad rapidly becoming more popular than Taylor Swift's to be more “serious” on competition days.
Reports of the five-member team laughing and enjoying themselves at Rio have been trickling through social media channels since they arrived at the Olympic village. Their close relationship and Twitter updates show them appearing relaxed and having fun, with Team USA member Laurie Hernandez writing: “I’m always laughing when I’m with these girls.”
According to a report in The New York Times, the women’s national team coordinator had to approach the team captain Aly Raisman to keep squad giggling to a minimum: “Today is the Olympics. You have to be more serious.”
Their relaxed demeanour may in part be due to Team USA's overwhelming success after having qualified almost 10 points ahead of China at the weekend. It may also be due to having Simone Biles on the team.
The diminutive 19-year-old and three-time world all-around champion will compete today in the women's team all-around. Biles is the favourite to take gold in Rio after becoming the leading qualifier in three individual events.
Raisman and fellow team member Gabby Douglas won their first Olympic golds in 2012.
