Surprise of a Lifetime – 12-year-old Prince George soccer player Is Headed to the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games

Johnathan Botelho is one of eleven Canadian kids that will rub shoulders with athletes, attend high-profile events and interact with kids from around the globe as part of McDonald’s Champion Kids® program

PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. (OCTOBER 28, 2009) – Local Prince George soccer player, Johnathan Botelho, will experience the worldwide spirit of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games first-hand as one of 11 kids from across Canada chosen for the worldwide McDonald's Champion Kids program. As part of this exciting once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, the Prince George youngster – along with a parent or guardian – will attend high-profile Olympic Winter Games events, meet athletes, visit cultural sites and interact with other McDonald’s Champion Kids from around the world.

“I can’t believe that I was chosen to be a McDonald’s Champion Kid,” said 12-year-old Johnathan. “I’m so excited to go to the Games and meet other kids from around the world – I can’t wait!”

The grade seven student was truly amazed when he recently discovered that he was a McDonald’s Champion Kid. Surrounded by his peers, family and friends, Ronald McDonald told Johnathan he was part of this exciting program at a surprise celebration during his soccer practice. Johnathan was also presented with a care package as a send-off to the Games.

Johnathan is a member of a local Under-12 All-Star A soccer team which competes across British Columbia and Alberta. His enthusiasm for sports and great communication skills have afforded him opportunities to act as a cub reporter on CKPG TV’s “Cougarview” sports program as well as a junior announcer at the CN Centre in Prince George during Cougar games.

“We’re extremely pleased that Johnathan was chosen to be part of our McDonald’s Champion Kids program,” said Dean O’Connor, McDonald’s Franchisee. “Johnathan has certainly earned this special opportunity by demonstrating tremendous leadership and a strong commitment to leading an active lifestyle and I know he will be a proud representative of the local community at the Games.”

Johnathan and the other Canadian McDonald’s Champion Kids were chosen by a selection committee that included two-time Olympic gold medalist Cassie Campbell and, in Quebec only, two-time Olympic Silver Medalist Alexandre Despatie based on their commitment to fitness and leading an active lifestyle, for participating in a variety of extracurricular activities and for demonstrating leadership among their peers.

Teachers who registered their class in the Go Active! Fitness Challenge®, a school-based fitness program presented by McDonald’s Canada with support from the Canadian Olympic Committee, nominated participating students for the chance to be a Champion Kid.

The McDonald’s Champion Kids program was first launched during the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. Two Canadian youngsters had an opportunity to join other children from all over the world in Beijing including Max Newton, who will act as an ambassador to the program in Vancouver. As an ambassador, Max will share his experiences from Beijing with the group while participating in some of the Olympic Winter Games activities.

“I feel really lucky to be an ambassador for the McDonald’s Champion Kids program,” said 11-year-old Max Newton. “I had such an amazing time in Beijing that I’ll never forget – I’m really looking forward to meeting this year’s McDonald’s Champion Kids and sharing my experience with them.”

About McDonald’s and the Olympic Games

McDonald’s commitment to the Olympic Movement began in 1968, when the company airlifted hamburgers to U.S. athletes in Grenoble, France after they reported being homesick for McDonald’s food. Since then, McDonald’s has served its menu of choice and variety to millions of athletes, their families and their fans, and will be doing so again in Vancouver including such favourites as the Big Mac® sandwich and World Famous Fries™, as well as the Egg McMuffin® sandwich, Chicken McNuggets®, entrée salads and Fruit n’ Yogurt Parfaits. The Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver mark McDonald's seventh Olympic Games as a Worldwide Sponsor and eighth as the Official Restaurant of the Olympic Games. McDonald’s sponsorship will continue through the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

About McDonald's Canada

McDonald’s is the leading foodservice company in the world. McDonald’s Restaurants of Canada Limited and its Canadian franchisees own and operate more than 1,400 restaurants and employ more than 77,000 Canadians coast to coast. Approximately 70 per cent of McDonald’s Canadian restaurants are locally owned and operated by independent entrepreneurs. For more information about McDonald’s Canada, visit the company’s web site at www.mcdonalds.ca.