McDonald's John Lewicki Ignites TOP Olympics Sponsor Controversy

 Beijing London Chicago Association  (Chicago, IL): While it may be true that McDonald's, headquartered in Oak Brook, Illinois, has sometimes found itself in "hot water" over "hot coffee" it remains to be seen whether or not McDonald's will find itself in the same kind of water over another "hot topic" involving the International Olympics Committee (IOC) and the 2016 Olympics.

McDonald's own John Lewicki allegedly said "The international market is very important to us, but some of the cities...are not...[important to us]... I'm not going to sit here and tell you that if...Chicago...[is not named as host of the 2016 Olympics]..., we won't renew...[sponsorship of the Olympics after the London 2012 Olympics]..., but if it is Chicago, we probably will."

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McDonald's, a TOP sponsor of the Olympics and the largest chain of fast food restaurants in the world has, according to its own admission, been "a sponsor...[of the Olympics]...for more than 30 years".

Some may feel John Lewicki's alleged statement indicates McDonald's has the ability to circumvent official International Olympics Committee (IOC) procedures and compel, or influence, the International Olympics Committee (IOC) to award Chicago, Illinois hosting privileges for the 2016 Olympics.

If McDonald's, or other TOP (The Olympic Partner Programme) sponsors of the Olympics, does indeed have the ability to compel the International Olympics Committee (IOC) to award the 2016 Olympics to whatever city that particular sponsor desires, then, using that ability would violate the official published versions of the International Olympics Committee's ethics rules.

Candidate Cities who suspect such International Olympics Committee (IOC) ethics rules violations by TOP Olympics sponsors can approach the International Olympics Committee (IOC) with a complaint.

However, it is worth mentioning that Coca-Cola, a company that remains a TOP Olympics sponsor to this day, was suspected, or perceived, by many to be directly responsible for Atlanta, Georgia, home of the Coca-Cola Company's headquarters, being awarded, by the International Olympics Committee (IOC), hosting privileges for the 1996 Summer Olympics.

Lingering suspicions of a corrupt relationship, one that does not reflect officially published rules and procedures, between the International Olympics Committee (IOC) and Olympics sponsors who may be willing to break officially published rules persist, as demonstrated by reaction to John Lewicki's statement, despite efforts by the International Olympics Committee and certain TOP sponsors, like Mcdonald's, to dispel such notions.

• McDonald's Mary N. Dillon stated, "We highly value all of the potential host cities for the 2016 Olympics. ...in every one of the competing bid cities we have a strong local McDonald's presence." Further, "...we adhere to the policies the IOC...[(International Olympics Committee)]...has in place around future bid cities, which includes strict neutrality throughout the bid process."

• The International Olympics Committee's (IOC) Emmanuelle Moreau, Media Relations Manager at the International Olympics Committee (IOC), has reportedly indicated that TOP Olympics sponsors "have no influence...to award the host city of the Olympics...the IOC...[(International Olympics Committee)]...has strict rules in place, overseen by the IOC...[(International Olympics Committee)]...Ethics Commission, to ensure that this is adhered to." John Lewicki's alleged statement is "...not McDonald's company position."

Ultimately, just how hot the water is in which McDonald's finds itself as a result of Mr. Lewicki's alleged statements regarding McDonald's continued sponsorship of the Olympics probably remains to be seen.

But one thing is certain.

Serving over 45 million customers, worldwide, every day, from 30,000 + restaurants, can buy a lot of cooling.

The International Olympics Committee (IOC) is expected to reveal the winning 2016 Olympics host city on October 2, 2009.

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October 4, 2008
edited October 5, 200811:50am CDT 4:50pm UTC/GMT

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