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McDonald's extends Olympic sponsorship through 2020

January 12, 2012

In a press conference held today in Innsbruck, Austria – site of the inaugural Winter Youth Olympic Games – McDonald's announced its renewed sponsorship with the Olympic Games through 2020. McDonald's will continue as a TOP (The Olympic Partner Program) sponsor, a commitment that involves:

• Official Restaurant:McDonald's continues as the Official Restaurant on-site at the four Olympic Games that follow London 2012, including Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games, Rio 2016 Olympic Games, Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games, and the 2020 Olympic Games (to be announced in 2013);
• Youth Olympic Games:McDonald's provides support for the Youth Olympic Games that will be held in Nanjing in 2014; the Lillehammer 2016 Winter Youth Olympic Games; as well as the Youth Olympic Games in 2018 and 2020; and
• McDonald's Olympic Champion Crew: McDonald's best restaurant employees and managers from around the world will be tapped to work all of the Olympic Games. London's 2012 Games will feature McDonald's largest crew ever, with approximately 2,000 top performers from the UK and around the world.

"We are delighted that McDonald's is announcing its renewal, building on our work together for more than 35 years," said International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge. "McDonald's provides a positive and inspirational connection to the Olympic spirit, sharing the Olympic values with its customers across the globe. We are very proud that McDonald's is the Official Restaurant of the Games, and know that athletes and spectators hugely appreciate McDonald's."

Champions of Play

Additionally, McDonald's will kick off its new Champions of Play program at the London games in the summer. As part of the program, up to 200 children and their guardians will be selected to attend the event, and will have the opportunity to meet with Olympic athletes.

Children will be recruited through grassroots campaigns that will be introduced throughout the next few months leading up to the London Games.

As part of the Champions of Play program, the majority of McDonald's markets will showcase:

• A Champions of Play website featuring Olympic athletes which will inspire kids to get active, and track their physical activities online through a series of engaging challenges; and
• Special Happy Meal packaging and in-restaurant materials, such as Champions of Play Playbooks and Fun Times Magazine, will include information and tips to encourage balanced eating and fun play.

"In keeping with McDonald's ongoing commitment to children's well-being, we will continue to communicate with kids about the importance of balanced eating and active lifestyles through our partnership with the Games," said Don Thompson, McDonald's president and chief operating officer.

In July, McDonald's announced that it is building its largest restaurant in the world for the London games. The restaurant will be located in Olympic Park and will include two stories spanning 3,000 square meters. It is one of four McDonald's that are being built specifically for the 2012 games.

McDonald's commitment to the Olympic Movement began in 1968, when the company airlifted hamburgers to U.S. athletes in Grenoble, France, after they reported being homesick for American food. London 2012 marks the ninth consecutive Games that McDonald's will serve as the Official Restaurant.

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