[Harlow:] The opening ceremony for the Rio Summer Olympics just hours away. It all happens tonight. Athletes from 206 nations will compete in dozens and dozens of sports. Five of those athletes are some pretty amazing women. The women's gymnastics team for USA looking to defend America's title as the reigning all-around champions. Joining us live, someone who's a big part of that legacy, 2008 gold and silver medalist gymnast, Shawn Johnson. I am I'm like starstruck talking to you, my friend, because I used to be a gymnast back in the day. Nowhere near your level at all, but idolized you and everything you guys have done. So, first of all, it must be amazing for you to be there. Thank you for being with us. Why don't you take us into the mind of this women's team because the expectation is so high for them. What are they going through right now?
[Shawn Johnson, Former Olympic Gymnast:] The expectation is so high. I feel like every single person in the world is expecting nothing but every gold should be taken by the USA team and I would have to agree with them. I feel like we have probably the strongest team our country has ever seen.
[Harlow:] Wow.
[Johnson:] I think the ability and the capabilities of these girls is untouchable and if they have a good night, not even a great night, we should walk away with most of the gold medals here.
[Harlow:] Wow. So we know of the Magnificent Seven and we know of the Fierce Five. If you had to give a name to this women's gymnastics team this go-around, what would it be?
[Johnson:] I have no idea. The Gold Five? I don't know.
[Harlow:] The Gold Five.
[Johnson:] That's really a bad name. It needs to be a lot better than that.
[Harlow:] It's pretty good. Well, we'll let you keep thinking. You can come back to that at the end. Simone Biles getting a ton of attention for the accomplishments she has already made on the world stage in gymnastics. But as you look at her, she is favored to win multiple gold medals this year. There was this cute moment at the P&G Championship where she sent a wink your way. I think we can also pull that up. But tell us about her and he incredible story and what you think it is that's made her so successful.
[Johnson:] Simone Biles is just pure talent. I mean, I feel like when you look at gymnastics as a sport we always have these girls that are incredibly talented but it comes more from work than just pure talent, and Simone is just pure talent. We've never seen a girl throw her difficulty, her execution, her grace. And I think the thing that makes her and separates her from everyone else is she just loves it. She's just a little kid out there playing around and you can tell it's easy for her, which is kind of comical because she throws the hardest skills in the sport, even comparing to men, so it's impressive. If she just goes out and has fun she should do the same thing here.
[Harlow:] At such a young age now, you 24, I think I mean, correct me if I'm wrong.
[Johnson:] I'm 24.
[Harlow:] You are a gold medalist, a silver medalist. You're now a correspondent down there covering this, you've got a best-selling book, you won "DANCING WITH THE STARS". As you look back at your time getting the gold what's the advice you would give these girls? A lot of people say I wish I would have enjoyed the ride more.
[Johnson:] I tend to say the same thing but when I look back on itI feel like had I enjoyed it more I would have been more distracted and not as focused, and probably not a successful. So I feel like for these girls being so young, like every gymnast is I feel like just stay focused, enjoy it, have fun, but do what you do best and just be your 16-year-old self. So I think all the fun stuff and all the excitement comes after.
[Harlow:] This team has two 2012 gold medalists on it, Aly Raisman and also Gabby Douglas. What's the biggest advantage for this team heading into the games?
[Johnson:] I feel like the biggest advantage, especially with those two girls, is that they just have experience under the belts. They have someone kind of coaching them through and guiding them through all of the kind of chaos and telling them what to do and what not to do.
[Harlow:] All right, so I do want to ask you this, as well, since we have your perspective on this morning. There is a report out this weekend in "The Indianapolis Star" saying that USA Gymnastics, the entity, basically did not do enough to follow up on allegations of sexual abuse by coaches. And I want to read you the statement from USA Gymnastics in full here responding to this "Indianapolis Star" report. They wrote, "USA Gymnastics has, in the strongest terms, encouraged anyone who believes abuse has occurred to contact law enforcement and frequently works with law enforcement community on these matters. USA Gymnastics provided The Indianapolis Star with substantial information on its policies and procedures to demonstrate the organization's commitment to the safety of its athletes within the scope of its jurisdiction and governing structure. We feel the Star left out significant facts that would have painted a more accurate picture of our efforts." As a veteran of the sport reading this report this week, Shawn, did it concern you and what are your thoughts?
[Johnson:] I mean, personally, I have no experience. I don't know enough in this area to be able to speak on it. I know it is heartbreaking for it to come out and all the allegations around it. I know USAG is doing the best that they can and right now it's just trying to focus on the athletes. But I truly have no experience or knowledge of any of it.
[Harlow:] So it sounds like you were very surprised to read this report, even given your lengthy experience with USA Gymnastics, but this report came as a shock to you.
[Johnson:] It came as an incredible shock. I mean, I had nothing but great experiences in my career and I feel like I have so many teammates and friends who would say the same. So it is unfortunate but, again, no personal experience.
[Harlow:] Let's talk about tonight. You get to be there as a spectator -way less pressure. You get to enjoy it and you're reporting on it. What are you looking forward to most tonight as the opening ceremony gets underway?