SportBusiness.com

According to the organising committee’s figures, total revenues were B2.09billion - almost double the projection submitted in 1996, reports aroundtherings.com.

Organisers say the surplus was made by possible by a number of factors, including cost controls and higher than expected revenue from broadcast rights, sponsorship and ticket sales.

The position was also helped by the conversion of dollars into euros before the US currency slide in the lead-up to the Games.