Olympic Newsdesk -- YOG Weapons; Diack Running for Reelection; McDonald's Marketing Chief Out

McDonald’s Looks for New Marketing Chief

Worldwide Olympics sponsor McDonald’s is looking for a new chief marketing officer following the resignation Monday of Mary Dillon.

Dillon, who served as global chief marketing officer and executive vice president for McDonald’s, will join US Cellular beginning June 1.

Dillon joined McDonald’s in 2005 and was responsible for the marketing and global brand strategy in 118 countries.

She also helped create the McDonald’s Champion Kids program for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and saw the program grow for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.

During Dillon’s five-year stay at McDonald’s, the TOP Sponsor expanded its menu and updated its "I’m Lovin’ It" campaign.

Her departure comes just months before the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. McDonald’s is the official restaurant of the World Cup.

McDonald’s has not revealed who will fill in for Dillon until a replacement is found.

Diack Declares for Reelection as IAAF President

Lamine Diack is running for a third full term as International Association of Athletics Federations president.

Diack, from Senegal, ascended to office in 1999 after then IAAF president Primo Nebiolo died.

Diack will be 78 at the time of the elections, scheduled to take place at the 2011 Athletics World championships in Daegu, Korea.

Weapons to Singapore YOG Need Police Notice

Whether a saber for fencing or laser pistol for modern pentathlon, delegations to the Singapore Youth Olympic Games are being reminded that weapons used in four sports need to be registered with the Singapore Police Force.

Forms listing the weapons must be submitted to the police ahead of arrivals in August.

Arrows for archery, guns for pentathlon and shooting and the swords of fencing are all included in the requirement.

TSE Opens Egypt Office

Egyptian IOC member Rania Elwani is heading up the new office in Cairo of TSE Consulting, the international sports consultancy firm.

Elwani, founder of the Egyptian Olympians Association and a member of the IOC Coordination Commission for the Singapore Youth Olympic Games, was today named as director of the office. It is a full-time post.

"Many North African sports organizations and cities have begun to recognize the potential of sport, and with a strong link to many of the European decision makers in international sport, TSE Consulting has a lot to offer the North African market.

"I am excited about this new opportunity and taking sport forward in North Africa."

TSE Consulting, headquartered in Lausanne, said its expansion was geared towards helping North African cities interested in developing long-term sports event strategies and hosting international sports events, as well as working with national sports organizations. The company's only other presence in Africa is its regional office in Johannesburg.

TSE Consulting is looking to open an office in the South American market, expected to be in Rio de Janeiro, in the coming months in order to provide assistance with preparations for the 2014 World Cup and Rio 2016 Olympics.

Written by Ed Hula III and Isia Reaves.