IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch (left) and his wife Bibis are known to keep quite a splendid apartment in Barcelona, venue for the 1992 Olympic games. Architectural Digest magazine recently marvelled at the impeccable taste of the former Falangist, who has been head of the organisation since our own Lord Killanin vacated the thrown in 1980. Valuable prints adorn the walls of the Barcelona pad, along with drawings from Picasso, Cocteau, Sert and Miro. The magazine also marvelled at Bibis' outstanding silverware collection.

Living in one place is so tiresome that the president lodges for most of the year in a tastefully done room in a Lausanne Hotel. Prior to Samaranch bagging his current post, he served as a Spanish diplomat in Mongolia. Senor Samaranch, who has admitted to taking gifts, continues to fight against corruption in the IOC.