Jeret Peterson was sent home after getting into a fight

Freestyle skier Jeret Peterson got into a fight and was sent home early, while speed skaters Shani Davis and Chad Hedrick publicly feuded.

"The team has a taken a hit," said Jim Scherr, chief executive officer of the US Olympic Committee (USOC).

"It's unfortunate that a few coloured the rest of the delegation."

He added: "We will be making some significant adjustments going into Beijing and Vancouver."

Scherr said the USOC would make sure athletes understand they must prepare themselves physically for the Games and understand they represent not only themselves but also their countries.

"Coming out of these Games we will do a better job as an Olympic Committee to monitor those situations and make sure that both of those edicts are followed to a higher degree," he said.

The behaviour of skiing star Bode Miller has also come under scrutiny after he was twice spotted out socialising late, once on the night before the prestige downhill race.

Peterson was sent home early after "an altercation with an acquaintance from the United States", according to the USOC.

Hedrick and 1000m speed skating champion Davis fell out over the latter's refusal to take part in the team pursuit.