Mcdonald’s end long sponsorship with Olympics

The International Olympic Committee has announced the end of its worldwide partnership with fast food giant Mcdonald’s.

The deal will end with immediate effect although Mcdonald’s will continue to sponsor next year’s Winter Olympics in South Korea with domestic marketing rights.

Mcdonald’s has been a major sponsor of the Olympic movement since the Olympic Programme (TOP) was established to offer exclusive global marketing rights in specific categories in 1985.

The IOC’S managing director of television and marketing services, Timo Lumme, said: “We understand that Mcdonald’s is looking to focus on different business priorities.

“For these reasons, we have mutually agreed with Mcdonald’s to part ways.”

The IOC said in a statement that it had “no immediate plans” to appoint a direct replacement in terms of a retail food sponsor, pending a broader review of marketing.

Meanwhile, Richard Bowker has formally succeeded Ed Warner as chair of UK Athletics.

Warner has completed a handover of responsibilities to Bowker, who was appointed in January.

The outgoing chair is now free to concentrate on his role as cochair of July’s Para Athletics Championships and August’s IAAF World Athletics Championships in London before leaving UKA after 11 years.