What’s the best job in all of the Olympics? Gold medal winner? Sure, those few people might make a good career out of winning, but overall, the many athletes who participate are pretty much at the bottom of the money funnel. The real winners are the members of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the non-profit organization in which the 100 active members control billions of dollars (and since they are based in Switzerland, the money is not taxed). Members are considered volunteers as they receive no salary, but the job comes with plenty of perks, like $450 to $900 per day when traveling on Olympic business, $7,000 a year for office expenses, and lavish treatment from cities trying to win future Olympics. And members do not age out of the committee until they’re 80 (although a few have been kicked out for taking bribes).
But athletes can take heart that they’re doing better than the people who are displaced from their homes to make room for Olympic venue construction.
The Washington Post constructed this graphic to show where the money comes from (broadcast rights and sponsors) for the Olympics and where it goes. -via Digg