Forget about those dissertation on the Olympics; the politics practiced by the members of the International Olympics Committee (OIC) is different from the rest.

Barack Obama's charisma didn't charm the OIC; Chicago was eliminated during the first round of voting. Instead, they awarded (the hosting of) the 2016 Olympics to another charismatic leader, Brazil's Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. The group felt that now is the right time to bring the most prestigious sports event to South America. I won't be surprised if the 2020 Summer Games will take place in Africa.

Many thesis may suggest otherwise, but consider recent events: South Africa hosted the 1995 World Cup of Rugby; South Africa will host next year's FIFA World Cup; and South Africa might be a front runner for the 2020 Games. This is what Brazil have gone through before they were awarded the rights to host the 2016 Games. Furthermore, OIC tries to be fair amidst the politics that happen before and during the voting process.

I don't mind if South Africa will host another big sporting event, as it would be unfair if economic and social conditions, which Europe and North America are better off, would be determining factors. That's not the Olympics is all about.