London bids for McHuge Games

The world's busiest McDonalds to be build in the London 2012 games. Photo: Elesa Lee

IT MIGHT not quite have been what Pierre de Coubertin had in mind when he coined the ''faster, higher, stronger'' motto of the modern Olympics.
But the world's largest fast-food chain is using the 2012 Olympic Games in London to break its own records, announcing plans to open the world's biggest, and busiest McDonald's restaurant on the Games site in Stratford.
Metres from where famous athletes will strain every sinew in the quest for medals, up to 1500 people will be able to dine in the biggest McDonald's yet built.

Advertisement: Story continues below

Food and sport ... McDonald's sees a commonality with the ideals of the Olympic Games and the company. Photo: Glen Hunt

The two-storey, 3000-square-metre diner will be one of four McDonald's restaurants built in and near the Olympics park, in east London. There will be two public eateries, one in the athlete's village, one in the media centre.
The company insists there is no conflict between the Games ideals and its plans to serve 1.75 million meals during the 29 days of the Olympics and Paralympics.
McDonald's is a long-standing sponsor of the Olympics and the soccer World Cup, with exclusive deals ensuring that it is the only branded restaurant on the site.
But it is bound to attract protests from those who feel the Games should not be so closely associated with potentially unhealthy food brands.
The London organising committee promises that a wide range of food will be available at the Olympics park, including that from local suppliers.
McDonald's is expected to use the Games to try to highlight its ''corporate social responsibility''. It has been involved in the recruitment of 70,000 Games volunteers and has pledged re-use of equipment in its other British restaurants after the Olympics. GUARDIAN


Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/world/london-bids-for-mchuge-games-20110721-1hqsy.html#ixzz1So60m5uL