McDonald’s Extends Olympic Deal To 2020
McDonald’s has extended its partnership with the International Olympic Committee to 2020, signing a deal guaranteed to be worth a nine-figure sum.
The eight-year extension continues an Olympic sponsorship that began in 1976. McDonald’s has been involved in the Games even longer – first flying hamburgers to homesick American athletes at the 1968 Winter Games in Grenoble.
Coca-Cola, Dow Chemical, General Electric, Omega, Procter & Gamble and Visa have also extended their deals to 2020. The IOC is expected to reform its sponsorship model to some extent after that date.
‘We are delighted that McDonald’s, our long-time and valued Olympic Partner for more than 35 years, is continuing its ongoing commitment not only to help fund the Olympic Games but also to support the Olympic Movement around the world and ultimately the athletes themselves,’ said IOC president Jacques Rogge.
McDonald’s chief operating officer Don Thompson added: ‘We share the Olympic ideals of teamwork, excellence and being your best. Those ideals are at the heart of what McDonald’s stands for and how we’ve brought the Games to life. Feeding the athletes is a tradition we are extremely proud of, and we look forward to continuing our role in helping to make the Games possible.’
