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Confidence crisis hit US team
A confidence crisis appears to be afflicting the usually ultra-patriotic nation in wake of the US-led Iraq war, the legitimacy of which has divided world opinion.
A rare sight draws the eye at the athletes' village on the eve of this year's Olympic Games.
Fluttering gently in the Athens breeze, the Stars and Stripes hangs side by side with the flags of the other nations contesting the 28th Olympiad.
But elsewhere in the village and around the Greek capital the US standard is a conspicuous absentee.
It is symbolic of a confidence crisis that appears to be afflicting the usually ultra-patriotic nation in the wake of last year's US-led Iraq war, the legitimacy of which has divided world opinion.
Security fears in Athens are sky-high and, with US track and field athletes also currently engulfed in a drugs scandal, Team USA have been ordered to tone down exuberant displays of national fervour at the Games.
So while athletes from other competing nations have draped their flags over balconies in the village, the Americans have been told by concerned team officials to refrain.
"We have asked them not to hang the flag all over the place," confirmed Jim Scherr, chief executive of the United States Olympic Committee (USOC).
Scherr and his colleagues are also desperate to avoid a repeat of the controversial behaviour of the American 4x100-metres relay team after they took gold at the last Olympics.
In Sydney four years ago the victorious U.S team, anchored by Maurice Greene who defends his 100m title in Athens, took off their vests and wrapped themselves in the US flag in a celebration seen by many as over the top.
"That was absolutely improper and something we have taken great measures to have our athletes not do," said Scherr. "They didn't mean any disrespect. They were excited (but) I think those athletes would do things differently now.
"Athletes can display it on their victory laps, it's just the flag is not a headband or a turban."
CONTRITE GREENE
The US athletes accept the need for discretion but admit they cannot guarantee how they will react to the excitement of winning a medal on the biggest sports stage of all.
Greene, whose preening and posturing are an integral part of his on-track persona, said: "This doesn't just go for American athletes, it goes for every athlete competing.
"You don't know what they will do after winning a gold medal. Nothing is planned, it's done on emotion, you have no control.
"I can guarantee the athletes are not trying to offend anyone...they respect each other and each other's countries.
"We apologised for offending anybody at that time, we didn't mean it."
Greco-Roman wrestling medal hope Jim Gruenwald also articulated the dilemma US athletes are facing. Speaking at the US Olympic Training Centre this week, he said: "I'm an American and I'm not going to tone it down.
"Being an American means we're free. We have a right to voice an opinion. But we also have to be responsible."
The measures do not just cover how Americans brandish the national flag. Athletes have a briefing when they arrive on how to act and are told not to walk around the Greek capital displaying too much team paraphernalia which could make them a target for abuse or attack.
Psychologists have been teaching them relaxation techniques should they face hostile crowd receptions, and gracious behaviour, win or lose, is requisite.
The sensitivity of US officials emphasises what is an unfamiliar scenario for a country not used to being cast as the bad guys of the Olympics.
In the Cold War era, from American eyes, the villains were the Communist Bloc countries led by the Soviet Union and East Germany with their state-sponsored doping regimes.
In the post-September 11 environment, though, things are very different. The US team's chef de mission Herman Frazier believes his athletes can strike the right balance.
"We are guests here of the Greeks and the International Olympic Committee," he said. "What we should do is act like fellow citizens. Go out and be happy that we're here."
