Hollywood comes to the Olympics

Hollywood is out in force at the Paris Olympics, perhaps taking notes before the United States' turn to host with the next Games in 2028.

Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman, Steven Spielberg, Lady Gaga — there have been plenty of A-listers around Paris for the first few days of the Games.

The biggest celebrity draw has been Artistic Gymnastics, arguably the hottest ticket this week as American superstar Simone Biles added to her medal haul.

Cruise has received a particularly warm welcome, given a knighthood from the French government (becoming a 'chevalier des arts et des lettres') and serenaded with a blast of the "Mission: Impossible" theme in the arena.

Sat just in front of him was "Barbie" director Greta Gerwig, becoming a fixture in France after her time as head of the Cannes Film Festival jury in May.

Lady Gaga posted a video of Biles on Instagram captioned "She nailed it, what an honor to be so close."

The actor and singer, who will appear alongside Joaquin Phoenix in "Joker: Folie a Deux" this autumn, performed at the Olympic opening ceremony on Friday, delivering a French music hall standard "Mon Truc en Plumes."

She treated fans in Paris to a sneak preview of her new album this week, sticking her head out of a limousine at her hotel to play snippets on a laptop.

 Aussie stars 

Some of Hollywood's favorite Australians have also been in town, with "Barbie" star Margot Robbie and "Moulin Rouge!" director Baz Luhrmann spotted at the opening ceremony.

Kidman, another Aussie, was present for the gymnastics and also skateboarding.

She is partly working, though, promoting a watch brand that is the official Games timekeeper.

Similarly, U.S. actor Jessica...