Olympian Carl Lewis Headlines McDonald's® Olympic Achievers Ceremony In Sydney

Nine-time Olympic gold medal winner Carl Lewis will joins McDonald's Chairman and CEO Jack Greenberg on September 16 to honor the McDonald's Olympic Achievers, a group of exceptional young people from around the world, at a special reception in Sydney Olympic Park. Lewis will deliver a keynote address that emphasizes the opportunity all young people have to become champions in life.

"It's all about being the best you can be... as an athlete, a professional and a person," said Lewis. "Whether serving the world's best hamburgers... or running the world's best race... you need to set high goals for yourself and work hard every day to accomplish them."

McDonald's is the first-ever global company to sponsor the National Olympic Committee (NOC) selection of the 2000 Sydney Youth Camp participants, who hail from nearly 200 countries around the world. Participating McDonald's restaurants and NOCs worldwide worked together to select two or more McDonald's Olympic Achievers, from each country to attend the Sydney 2000 Olympic Youth Camp. All Achievers are ages 16 to 18 and were chosen for their exceptional records in school, sports and community service.

"These outstanding young individuals were selected because they truly demonstrate the Olympic spirit and values that are shared by McDonald's and the Olympic Movement," said Jack Greenberg, Chairman and CEO, McDonald's Corporation. "The McDonald's Olympic Achievers initiative is an integral part of our worldwide Olympic partnership and we are proud to support this important recognition program for today's youth."

The Sydney 2000 Olympic Youth Camp runs through October 4, 2000 at St. Joseph's College in Sydney and in other parts of Australia. During this time, the McDonald's Olympic Achievers will have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to attend Olympic sporting events, share experiences and cultures, visit landmark sights throughout Sydney and live with an Australian family. Many will keep "digital diaries" of their experiences at the Games on McDonald's website at http://www.mcdonalds.com/ .

"McDonald's participation in the selection of our Olympic Achievers has extended this opportunity to more deserving young people then ever before," said Alastair Cameron, Director of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Youth Camp. "In fact this year, we have the highest-ever participation in the Youth Camp by Olympic countries since its inauguration at the 1912 Games in Stockholm, Sweden."

McDonald's is the world's largest global foodservice retailer with more than 27,000 restaurants, serving nearly 43 million people each day in 119 countries. More than 80 percent of McDonald's restaurants around the world are owned and operated by independent, local businessmen and women.

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SOURCE: McDonald's Corporation

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