Athens - Doping positives, security concerns and bad behaviour - three worries for the US Olympic team in the weeks leading up to the Athens Olympics - were absent as Americans looked back at the Games.
Several US athletes had been concerned about terrorism in the wake of small bombs exploded by extremist groups in the months before the Games, but security measures handled potential problems while not being obtrusive.
"The nice thing was you saw it but it wasn't overwhelming.
"It didn't make you nervous," said Mia Hamm, who led US women to football gold in her final game.
"Our focus was on competing. It took everything we had to do that."
Michael Phelps, whose eight-medal swimming haul included six golds, praised measures that allowed him to feel safe without making him fearful.
"It's incredible to come here and be so relaxed and feel comfortable and safe," he said.
"My Olympic experience is something that will never be forgotten."
With anti-American sentiment growing worldwide over the US military invasion of Iraq, there was concern how US athletes would be treated. Hamm found she was welcomed in a spirit of brotherhood.
"This is a great time to show that unity," Hamm said.
"Different countries can come together for a month and celebrate sport and humanity.
"It wasn't about us versus them. It was about celebrating what we do."
US athletes helped avoid "Ugly American" situations by being on their best behaviour, with no Olympic Village room-wrecking such as at the 1998 Nagano Winter Games or embarrassing celebrations such as at the Sydney Games.
"Our athletes performed nothing short of amazing on and off the field," said US Olympic Committee chief executive Jim Scherr.
"Their conduct brought nothing but honour and dignity to the United States."
Doping was a worry with the BALCO steroid scandal erupting 10 months ago in the United States leading to banishments and investigations across athletics.
But with more than 20 doping positives at the Games, no US athlete tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs.
"Every sport has their dark cloud, from drugs to criminal acts.
"We're all human," US Olympic 100m champion Justin Gatlin said.
"We wanted to win with class and show the world all sprinters don't have to take drugs to be successful and set world records.
Even so, Gatlin admitted that he feels he will face an unfairly boosted rival every time he walks to the starting line.
"I know stepping into my races there's going to be somebody taking something," he said.
"People get desperate, especially in track and field.
"They have been at the same meets in the same routine and had the same finish over and over.
"People want to make a change and improve themselves and make their country happy and they are doing it the wrong way."
