Jenny Thompson, U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist in Swimming, Featured In McDonald's® "Olympic Smiles" Commercial

U.S. Swimmer Jenny Thompson is the first Olympian from the Sydney 2000 Games to be featured in McDonald's emotionally uplifting "Olympic Smiles" commercial which features historic smiling moments from some of America's most celebrated Olympians. Footage of Thompson after she won a gold medal in the women's 4x100 freestyle relay has been added to the current commercial which celebrates the Olympic Spirit and uses the recently introduced, "We Love to See You Smile™" theme.

"It is such a thrill to compete in the Olympic Games and it's an honor to be included in a McDonald's commercial with other great U.S. Olympic athletes," said Thompson.

The commercial, created by DDB Chicago, first aired on networks, cable and syndicated programming in early September and will air solely on NBC throughout the remainder of the Games. Plans call for the spot to be updated throughout the Games with new Olympic smile moments from the athletes competing in Sydney such as the segment featuring Thompson.

"McDonald's has a tradition of breakthrough Olympic-themed advertising and we are very excited about including footage of current Olympic athletes shortly after they compete in their events," said Alan Feldman, President, McDonald's U.S.A. "We will continue to search for the Olympic moments that capture the spirit of the Games and athletes striving to be their best, and we hope our customers enjoy seeing some of their favorite Olympic moments again.

Olympians featured in the "Olympic Smiles" commercial include (in order

of appearance):

  * Greg Louganis - Gold Medalist, Diving, Seoul, 1988
  * Jenny Thompson - Gold Medalist, Swimming, Sydney 2000
  * Mary Lou Retton - Gold Medalist, Gymnastics, Los Angeles, 1984
  * Otis Davis - Gold Medalist, Track & Field, Rome, 1960
  * Bruce Jenner - Gold Medalist, Track & Field, Montreal, 1976
  * Michael Johnson - Gold Medalist, Track & Field, Atlanta, 1996

McDonald's is the world's largest global foodservice retailer with more than 28,000 restaurants, serving nearly 43 million people each day in 119 countries. More than 85 percent of McDonald's restaurants around the world are owned and operated by independent, local businessmen and women.

NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19990916/MCDLOGO

AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/

SOURCE: McDonald's Corporation

Contact: Julie Monzo of McDonald's, 630-623-6049, or e-mail,
julie.monzo@mcd.com; or Cindy Pettersen of Burson Marsteller, 312-596-3494, or
e-mail, cynthia_pettersen@chi.bm.com, for McDonald's

Website: http:/// http://www.media.mcdonalds.com/