As the Official Restaurant of the Olympic Games, McDonald's is the only branded retail food service provider to feed the athletes, media and spectators.·

McDonald's will have four new Olympic venue restaurants: one in the Olympic Village, one in the Main Press Centre, and two in the Olympic Park for spectators - one of which will be the largest McDonald's freestanding restaurant in the world.

The 3,000 square-metre (32,000 square-foot) two-story building in the Olympic Park will have 1,500 seats.

McDonald's plans to serve 1.75 million meals during the 29 day period of the Olympics and Paralympics.


To staff the restaurants McDonald's will bring in 2,000 of its top-performing restaurant staff from the UK and around the world - the largest Olympic team ever assembled - while there will be jobs for 470 lstaff who will be recruited locally and who will wear uniforms created by Wayne Hemmingway.

The announcement of the plan will inevitably attract criticism but McDonald's claimed that·its sponsorship plans for London 2012 that will focus on championing happy, active kid under the banner "McDonald's Champions of Play for the Olympic Games", a campaign that will be fronted by Torres, who at the age of 45 is hoping to compete in her sixth Olympics in London, stretching a remarkable career that started at Los Angeles in 1984 and includes 12 medals, including four gold.·

McDonald's will serve its Happy Meal for the first time in its Olympic venue restaurants including fruit, vegetable and dairy options.

"Competing at the Olympic level is the result of thousands of hours of dedication in many areas, including nutrition," said Dr. Nanna Meyer, the United States Olympic Committee senior sports dietician.

"Having access to familiar, quality food in the Athlete's Village can support our athletes' success at the Games.

"When it comes to food, athletes love options.

"It's great that McDonald's offers a range of balanced choices, which can easily fit into the eating patterns of athletes of all ages and different physical demands."

As part of its London 2012 programme, McDonald's plans to fly in up to 200 children aged between six and 10 from all around the world where they try to encourage them to follow a balanced approach and nutrition and activity.·


"For the first time ever, McDonald's Champions of Play for the Olympic Games will tour and play with athletes at the actual Olympic venues," said Kevin Newell, McDonald's Global Chief Brand Officer (pictured with Torres).

"This will be an unforgettable, inspiring moment for our champions, along with attending the Games, seeing McDonald's chef demonstrations, taking an exclusive tour of the Olympic Village dining area, visiting London's cultural sites, and making new friends."

International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge enthusiastically backed McDonald's plans for next year.·

"McDonald's has been a long-time and valued partner of the Olympic Movement," he said.

"We appreciate McDonald's incredible ability to reach millions of fans with innovative, inspiring programmes that connect with the Olympic Spirit.

"We are working together to promote sport and inspire children around the world to lead balanced, active lifestyles."

Torres, the author of several best-selling fitness books, claims that McDonald's sponsorship of the Olympcis could help youngsters learn more about nutrition.

"I want to make a positive difference in the lives of children and families, so it's a natural fit for me to join McDonald's today, and in the years ahead, as we inspire happy and active kids," she said.

"Together, through the new McDonald's Champions of Play for the Olympic Games, we can reach millions of people about the benefits of balanced food choices and play for kids everywhere."

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