US Olympic team chiefs insisted on Thursday it was business as usual for American athletes in Sochi despite fresh security fears on the eve of the official opening of the Winter Games.
Concerns over security at the Games, which open on Friday, skyrocketed after two suicide attacks in the southern Russian city of Volgograd in December, blamed on Islamist militants from the Northern Caucaus region.
In the latest development, the US government warned American and foreign airlines Wednesday that terrorists could try to hide explosives in toothpaste tubes on Russia-bound flights.
Earlier this week the Austrian interior ministry said two athletes taking part in the Games had been threatened with kidnap.
US Olympic Committee chief executive Scott Blackmun said the safety and security of athletes and the whole delegation was always the top priority.
"We always work very closely with the State Department," he said. "The State Department is in very close contact with the local authorities.
"We react to situations as they arise but we also have a lot of planning exercises in advance. These Games are no different from any other Games in that respect.
"We have confidence that the Russians are doing everything they can" to ensure safety, he added, refusing to be drawn on specific responses to specific threats, despite admitting their "concerning" nature.
Last month the United States updated its travel alert for Sochi and warned Americans about tough new anti-gay laws.
Renewing appeals to all US citizens to "remain vigilant," the State Department said in January that Americans "should remain attentive regarding their personal security at all times".
But despite the threats, Blackmun denied that US athletes had been asked not to wear team colours when out and about.
But he added: "We have let them know some people don't consider Americans their favourites so if you wear non-American attire, it would attract less attention."
Team chiefs said a surprisingly large number of athletes' families had come to Sochi and competitors were coming and going from the athletes' village.
Blackmun refused to be drawn on the controversial Russian law banning "propaganda of homosexuality" to minors.
"We've expressed our point of view on the law itself some time ago," he said. "Now that we're here, now that we're in Sochi, now that it's time to compete, we want to focus attention on the athletes and the competition."
