Debate: Does having a fast food chain sponsor the Olympics send the wrong message?

Fast food chain McDonalds will have five locations at London’s Olympic Park, including its largest location in the world’which will seat 1500 customers.

The chain is providing the funding required to stage the games (and has since 1976. Cadbury and CocaCola are sponsors too.

The Academy of Royal Medical Colleges thinks this sends the wrong message. "It’s very sad that an event that celebrates the very best of athletic achievements should be sponsored by companies contributing to the obesity problem and unhealthy habits," Terence Stephenson, a spokesman for the Academy of Royal Medical Colleges, told the Associated Press.

Nevertheless, the funding provided by sponsors like McDonalds, CocaCola and Cadbury is essential for making the games a reality, according to London Olympic organizers. And although Big Macs and fries appear on the menu at McDonalds the chain recently rolled out a new Happy Meal that includes options like apple slices, yogurt and grilled chicken wraps. They will also be giving away 9 million ‘activity toys’ with Happy Meals during the games in an attempt to inspire kids to be active.

What do you think? Is it okay for cola, chocolate and fast food companies to sponsor the Olympics?

Related:
‘ McDonald’s is changing the Happy Meal’is it really healthier?
‘ Do these controversial child obesity ads cross the line?
‘ Q & A with Olympian Clara Hughes

‘Katharine Watts, associate web editor