The year also showed a strong showing for African delegates, being the first time ever to have 3 of the 10 semifinalists.

As one African delegate explained it to me: "if you make a legally-binding promise, you should keep to it".

James Brown was a favorite of many African delegates, who eagerly snapped up each new release.

As one African delegate said, it amounts to a "direct order."

"Our commitment was to public health and nothing else," one African delegate said.

He made out Paul Soubise's elegant thin figure among the bright costumes of some African delegates.

Sydney officials later said they had made offers of $35,000 apiece to two African delegates the night before the vote.

But Bishop McKenzie said that, to the contrary, some African delegates had asked her to come to their districts if she were elected.

Support for him among African delegates has been lukewarm.

The night before, documents show, Australian officials met with two African delegates and promised their respective Olympic committees a total of $70,000 in funds.