Tuesday, August 07, 2007: McDonald's(R) to Sponsor 'Champion' Children From Around the World at Beijing 2008 Olympic Games
Olympian Michael Phelps to Serve as Global Ambassador
OAK BROOK, IL, Aug. 7 /CNW/ -- As part of McDonald's ongoing commitment
to children, the company will launch its newest Olympic Games program,
McDonald's Champion Kids, on Aug. 9, 2007 in Beijing.
The program will enable up to 300 kids from around the world to travel to
the 2008 Olympic Games to share their stories and experiences with their local
communities and hometown news outlets. Through this once-in-a-lifetime
journey, the children will have the chance to see the Games, meet Olympic
athletes, visit cultural sights and interact with kids from across the globe.
Six-time Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps will serve as McDonald's
Global Ambassador for the program. Joining Phelps to kick-off the program at a
special media event Aug. 9 in Beijing will be International Olympic Committee
(IOC) President Jacques Rogge, Executive Vice President of the Beijing
Organizing Committee of the Olympic Games (BOCOG) Mr. Wang Wei, People's
Republic of China Olympic gold medalist and McDonald's Champion Kids
Ambassador in China Guo Jingjing, and other local dignitaries.
"With the McDonald's Champion Kids program, we are making a significant
investment to give hundreds of children the experience of a lifetime," said
Mary Dillon, McDonald's Global Chief Marketing Officer. "These kids will reach
out to thousands more, connecting with their worldwide peers to communicate
the sights and sounds of the Olympic Games and the fascinating culture of
China. It's another example of our commitment to the enrichment of children."
Support for the Program
"McDonald's unique Champion Kids program mirrors the passion we have for
bringing together youth from around the world, connecting cultures and
communities as only the Olympic Movement can," said IOC President Jacques
Rogge.
"McDonald's is providing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for children
around the world," said Phelps. "For the kids to experience China and the
world's greatest sporting event at one time is simply incredible."
In addition to the McDonald's Champion Kids program, the company will
activate its most comprehensive Olympic Games plan to date, which
includes:
- Feeding the World's Athletes - For the seventh consecutive Games,
McDonald's will be the Official Restaurant of the Olympic Games. The
company is planning to build four restaurants in Beijing. One
restaurant will be in the Athlete's Village, where McDonald's will be
the only branded restaurant to feed the athletes, giving them a taste
of home while in China. The three other McDonald's restaurants will
serve spectators, officials and coaches, as well as the 20,000 media
expected on site. Customers will find a wide variety of products,
including favorites such as the Big Mac(R) sandwich and World Famous
Fries(TM), as well as Premium Chicken offerings and Fruit n' Yogurt
Parfaits.
- McDonald's Olympic Champion Crew - McDonald's will honor an
unprecedented number of restaurant employees by bringing 1,200 best
of the best restaurant crew from China and around the world to the
Games to experience the fun and excitement of serving the world's
best athletes, as well as spectators and media.
- Giving Back - As part of McDonald's Olympic Games tradition to give
back to the host city, the company will make a lasting contribution
to the host city of Beijing through Ronald McDonald House
Charities(R).
- Bringing the Games to Life - McDonald's restaurants around the world
will bring the excitement of the Games to life for their customers in
a variety of local promotions and activities.
Source: CNW
