According to a
press release from June 6, 2000,
McDonald's is continuing its agreement to have "exclusive global
Olympic marketing rights in the
restaurant and
food service category" for both the
2002 and
2004 Olympics. This gives them the right to use the
Olympic rings in
advertising and the title of "Official Restaurant Partner" for both Games. As part of the deal, McDonald's will provide food to
athletes (and sell it to spectators) in Salt Lake City and Athens, just as the company did in
Atlanta,
Nagano, and
Sydney. In Australia, McDonald's operated two restaurants in the
Olympic Village, two for the
media, and three for the public in the
Olympic Park. They also provided service during the 2000
Paralympic Games. McDonald's has actually been an Olympic
sponsor for many years - I have a videotape of the
1988 Olympics with some amusing old
commercials for contests.
Source: http://www.mcdonalds.com/corporate/press/corporate/2000/06062000b/index.html