The Olympics is all about funneling huge amounts of money into the pockets of the members of the IOC. Ever wonder why the proceeds from sale of broadcast rights aren't used to defray the costs of building facilities? It's because the members of the IOC won't tolerate a lifestyle below "better than kings".

Just why any politician falls for the Olympic scam is beyond my comprehension: the host city/province/state/country is invariably left holding the bag for enormous cost over runs, and the purported long term benefits are simply pipe dreams that don't come true.

Don't believe me? Remember the Commonwealth Games? Supposed to turn Victoria into "an international tourist destination." Yeah, sure. Tell me another one.

I'm all in favor of giving the best athletes a venue to strut their stuff, but the entire Olympic movement has been pre-empted by the greedy sons of bitches on the iOC. (And, quite likely, national Olympic committees as well)

I'll become less cynical when the members of the IOC and national Olympic committees serve without remuneration, without even reimbursement of expenses, and the income from the Olympics goes to pay the costs. Until then? It's a simple scam.