Sponsors - McDonald's, IOC Close to Deal; Last Chance to Carry 2012 Torch

McDonald’s, IOC Close to Deal

McDonald’s and the IOC could finalize a sponsorship renewal this month, says IOC marketing chief Gerhard Heiberg.

Reuters reports that the fast food giant and the IOC will meet in Innsbruck during the Youth Winter Olympic Games, which run Jan. 13-22, to settle the details.

"The situation is positive and I don't see any obstacle. We are very close," Heiberg told Reuters. "We will meet in Innsbruck and finalize everything. Hopefully we will sign the contract there."

The sponsorship renewal would cover the next four Olympics through 2020 and would have an estimated value of $200 million. McDonald’s current Olympic partnership ends after the London Summer Games.

Politician Challenges LOCOG Chair Over Bhopal

Parliament member Barry Gardiner says LOCOG chairman Sebastian Coe should either drink contaminated water from Bhopal, India or drop Dow Chemical as a sponsor.

In Trafalgar Square, Gardiner challenged Coe to drink water from the Indian city that Dow claims is not contaminated by an industrial disaster in 1984.

"If he doesn’t dare do this, then he should kick Dow out of the Olympics," Gardiner said.

"They have no place in what has been billed as the greenest and most sustainable Olympics ever; it can’t have Dow Chemical associated with it."

The Labour politician was joined by Bhopal survivor Farah Williams and the activist group Bhopal Medical Appeal.

Dow has been linked to a 1984 incident where a pesticide plant owned by Union Carbide India Limited leaked toxic gas into the city of Bhopal, killing tens of thousands. Dow bought the Union Carbide Corporation in 2001 after the disaster and has denied any responsibility for the tragedy.

Activists and Bhopal survivors argue that the company has failed to clean up the area or properly compensate victims.

Olympics Broadcast in 3D in the U.S.

U.S. viewers will be able to watch the 2012 Olympics in 3D.

Panasonic is partnering with NBC Sports Group to provide 3D coverage of London 2012 to U.S. distributors that carry the Games.

"NBC has a history of utilizing technological innovations to distribute the Olympics in new ways for viewers," said Gary Zenkel, president of NBC Olympics.

"We are proud to continue that tradition by partnering with Panasonic and Olympic Broadcasting Services to distribute the first 3D broadcast of the Games inthe U.S. in partnership with our multichannel video programming distributors."

The broadcast will be produced by Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS) and will be shown on delay. NBC did not specify which distributors will show the 3D coverage.

Panasonic announced last year that it would team up with the IOC and OBS to broadcast the Games in 3D for the first time ever.

"Ultimately, we believe this production of the first live 3D Olympic Games will make the London 2012 Olympic Games one of the most significant in the history of broadcasting technology," OBS managing director Manolo Romero said last August.

Gillette Ambassadors

A team of 24 male athletes will represent Gillette at the London Olympics.

The Gillette ambassadors include tennis star Roger Federer, swimmer RyanLochte, basketball player Emmanuel Ginobili and cyclist Chris Hoy.

This campaign is Procter & Gamble’s first program as part of its 10-year partnership with IOC.

"We think Gillette’s program is the perfect start to P&G’s Olympic Games Program," said Marc Pritchard, global marketing and brand building officer.

"Between them, these athletes have earned 18 world records and 55 world championships and they embody the commitment to excellence that inspires us as a company."

P&G became a worldwide sponsor in 2010, and its partnership extends through the 2020 Olympics.

Last Chances to Carry Paralympic Torch

The supermarket chain Sainsbury’s is offering one of the last chances to nominate people to carry the flame for the Paralympic torch relay.

Starting Wednesday, customers in Sainsbury’s stores throughout the U.K. can nominate someone from their local community.

The campaign ends Feb. 14 and is the third campaign by a presenting partner in the search for torchbearers. BT’s nomination process ends on Jan. 20 while Lloyds TSB’s campaign ran from Oct. 18-Nov. 22.

"The Sainsbury's nomination program is the final opportunity to put people forward, so if there is a team or individual that you feel deserves recognition for their contribution, then I would encourage you to nominate them," said LOCOG chairman Sebastian Coe.

The Paralympic torch relay will start August 24 in London.

Written by Ann Cantrell.

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