The International Olympic Committee in 1896. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Albert_Meyer_4_Olympia_1896.jpg The secretive group that runs the Olympics is expected to earn a record $8 billion in the 2009-2012 quadrennial cycle, according to Sportcal.

Formed to promote "Olympism," the International Olympic Committee doesn't get rich off the Games, but they do enjoy themselves.

The 109-member Committee gets wined and dined by cities and corporations bidding for contracts, and they get treated like royalty at the Games.

Several times they've been caught taking bribes, but generally what happens in Switzerland stays in Switzerland.