It may not be an official Olympic competition, but
building Big Mac sandwiches at lightning speed had all the ingredients of a world-class sporting
event today in Salt Lake City.
Olympic gold medalists Bonnie Blair and Carl Lewis cheered on members of the McDonald’s
World Champion Crew, who showed off their skills assembling a “crown, club and heel,” to make
as many Big Mac sandwiches as possible within a three-minute period. Gold medals were
awarded to participants in key categories of speed, technical excellence, teamwork and “smile.”
“Today marks a proud Olympic moment for McDonald’s as we welcome our award-winning crew
from nearly fifty countries,” said Jack Greenberg, chairman and CEO of McDonald’s Corporation.
“Much like the athletes themselves, these outstanding performers have proven themselves to be
the best at what they do everyday in their countries.”
From the 1.3 million McDonald’s crew around the globe, four hundred gold medalists from five continents
were chosen following worldwide competitions held this past year at McDonald’s 29,000
restaurants in 121 countries. They will proudly serve McDonald’s food to Olympic athletes, officials
and media at special food service sites in the Olympic Village and Main Media Center.
“I was honored to be selected as a member of the World Champion Crew,” said Tusiga “T”
Lealaogata of Taylorsville, Utah. “Having the chance to be one of the Big Mac builders here
today and meeting Bonnie Blair and Carl Lewis is an experience I’ll never forget.”
Criteria for selection to the World Champion Crew included service, speed, accuracy, personality
and teamwork, which reflect the operational requirements at all McDonald’s restaurants. In
addition to their food service experiences, the World Champion Crew will attend Olympic events
and participate in special recreational activities during their stay in Salt Lake City.
“The Olympics began in my home country, so it’s especially exciting for me to be part of the
Olympic experience,” said Omiros Kordakis of Athens, Greece. “This means a lot to me because I
can take what I’ve learned home with me to share with others as we prepare for the 2004
Summer Games in Athens.”
McDonald’s became an official Olympic sponsor in 1976 and has a longstanding commitment to
the Olympic Movement. At the 1968 Olympic Winter Games, McDonald’s airlifted hamburgers to
the U.S. athletes competing in Grenoble, France, who reported they were homesick for
McDonald’s.
The Salt Lake Games mark McDonald’s third Olympic Games as a TOP Global Sponsor and the
fourth as the Official Restaurant of the Olympic Games.
