McDonald’s & Coca-Cola Defend Olympic Sponsorship

Following IOC President, Jacques Rogge’s comments questioning McDonald’s and Coca-Cola’s Olympic sponsorship, both major brands have defended their deals as Worldwide Partners of IOC.

Jacques Rogge earlier this week told the Financial Times that growing levels of obesity had led to a “question mark” over the two brands’ sponsorship of the Games. He added that the choice to renew McDonald’s sponsorship deal in particular was “not an easy decision”.

A McDonald’s spokeswoman rebutted today by suggesting the company recognises public health issues like obesity are complex matters that cannot be solved by businesses or governments alone.

“Ultimately it’s up to individuals to make the right food, drink, and activity choices for themselves and our broad range of menu options in a variety of sizes, together with the nutrition information, means that customers can make more informed choices,” she added.

The Games is set to be the “biggest catering operation in the world”. McDonald’s claims that not many businesses could rise to such a challenge and provide “high quality British good quickly and safely”.

James Eadie, Olympic portfolio director at Coca-Cola Great Britain, also added values of Coca-Cola and the Olympics are “extremely intertwined”. Coca-Cola is the longest continual sponsor of Olympic Games since 1928.

“The Olympics gives us an opportunity to demonstrate what the modern business is all about and allows us to accelerate and showcase sustainability.”

The company is also offering the “widest portfolio” of products at any Games, 75% of which will be water, juice or reduced sugar varieties.

Coca-Cola is looking to drive a recycling message around the Olympic Park. It aims to turn every soft drink pack recycled within the venue into a new bottle, which will be back on shelf within six weeks of consumption.

The multi-billion dollar companies also will leave a lasting social legacy after the Games.