McDonald's to Sponsor London Olympics: Good Business or Bad Message?
SodaHead Living
2012/05/02 21:00:00
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Less than three months to the London Olympics! We can't wait to see the tight, toned competitors showing off their unbelievable athletic skill. And somehow, this message of health and fitness is sponsored by ... McDonald's? Yup! The fast-food chain is a major sponsor for the London Olympics, to the dismay of a British doctors' group, The Associated Press reports.
McDonald's will be the only restaurant allowed to sell brand-name food at the games and there will also be a separate McDonald's within the athletes' village -- in addition to three others at the Olympic Park (one of which will be McDonald's largest franchise in the world), the AP reports.
To make matters worse, Coca-Cola has the exclusive right to sell non-alcoholic drinks at Olympic venues, and Heineken has been named the games' official beer. "It's very sad that an event that celebrates the very best of athletic achievements should be sponsored by companies contributing to the obesity problem and unhealthy habits," said Terence Stephenson, a spokesman for the Academy of Royal Medical Colleges, according to the AP.
McDonald's isn't new to the Olympics -- the company has been an official Olympics sponsor since 1976. The chain says it plans to bring "high-quality British food" at the Games, yet Big Macs, fries and milkshakes will be served. With about one-quarter of Brits currently obese, do you think McDonald's makes an appropriate sponsor for the London Olympics?
To make matters worse, Coca-Cola has the exclusive right to sell non-alcoholic drinks at Olympic venues, and Heineken has been named the games' official beer. "It's very sad that an event that celebrates the very best of athletic achievements should be sponsored by companies contributing to the obesity problem and unhealthy habits," said Terence Stephenson, a spokesman for the Academy of Royal Medical Colleges, according to the AP.
McDonald's isn't new to the Olympics -- the company has been an official Olympics sponsor since 1976. The chain says it plans to bring "high-quality British food" at the Games, yet Big Macs, fries and milkshakes will be served. With about one-quarter of Brits currently obese, do you think McDonald's makes an appropriate sponsor for the London Olympics?
Top Opinion
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Jimbo 2012/05/02 23:08:07
If they want to be consistent, they'd have to ban all three from advertising anywhere. THAT is not possible.
They know , They are under the gun for for the obesity problem(in the US anyway) to support exercise activity and something as elite as the Olympics
It's brilliant
Also, alcohol is only unhealthy if you drink too much of it. It's fine in moderation.