Coca-Cola to present London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay, bringing the Olympic Flame to millions of people across the UK

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

London 26 May 2010: Coca-Cola is today announcing that it will serve as a Presenting Partner of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay (OTR) helping to spread the magic of the Olympic Games well beyond London, and inspiring communities across the UK to participate in the biggest celebration of world sport.

Coca-Cola has been continuously associated with the Olympic Games since 1928 - longer than any other sponsor - and has supported the OTR since 1992. Coca-Cola will be drawing on its unrivalled heritage of involving people in the excitement of the Games, and will particularly focus on encouraging young people from every corner of the UK to apply for their chance to carry the Olympic Flame.

Coca-Cola supported its first Olympic Torch Relay in 1992. Since then, Coca-Cola has helped to take the flame to 41 countries, covering over 200,000 miles and sharing the Olympic spirit with millions of people around the world.

Anyone who is interested in finding out more about Coca-Cola's Olympic Games heritage and to be kept up to date with Coca-Cola's involvement with the London 2012 Games is invited to register on Coke Zone (www.cokezone.co.uk/olympics).

Simon Baldry, Managing Director, Coca-Cola Enterprises Ltd said: "We're focused on building long term category plans with our customers to grow soft drink sales in Great Britain. We know that our sponsorship for London 2012 will energise this work. Adding the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay will accelerate this, and enable us to connect CCE's trade partners with our worldwide Olympic sponsorship at a local community level in the build up to the 2012 games."

Coca-Cola is a Worldwide Partner of the International Olympic Committee and sponsor of the London 2012 Olympic Games. With over 80 years experience working with the international Olympic Movement, Coca-Cola has a strong commitment to the Olympic values and is proud to be supporting London 2012.

ENDS

For further information please contact Frankie or Carly at Mercieca PR on 020 7485 0100 or email Frankie@mercieca.co.uk/Carly@mercieca.co.uk

Notes to editors

About The Coca-Cola Company

The Coca-Cola Company is the world's largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with nearly 500 sparkling and still brands. Along with Coca-Cola, recognized as the world's most valuable brand, the Company's portfolio includes 12 other billion-dollar brands, including Diet Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Coca-Cola Zero, Glaceau vitaminwater, Powerade, Minute Maid and Georgia Coffee. Globally, we are the No. 1 provider of sparkling beverages, juices and juice drinks and ready-to-drink teas and coffees. Through the world's largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy the Company's beverages at a rate of nearly 1.6 billion servings a day. With an enduring commitment to building sustainable communities, our Company is focused on initiatives that protect the environment, conserve resources and enhance the economic development of the communities where we operate. For more information about our Company, please visit our website at www.thecoca-colacompany.com.

About Coca-Cola and the Olympic Movement

The Coca-Cola Company has been continuously associated with the Olympic Games since 1928 - longer than any other corporate sponsor of the Olympic Movement. The Company works with National Olympic Committees in more than 200 countries to help athletes train and compete. More than 90 percent of Coca-Cola's investment in the Olympic Games is directed to athlete development and to assist in staging the Games. Products of The Coca-Cola Company refresh athletes, volunteers, officials and spectators during the Olympic Games. The Coca-Cola Company is the exclusive nonalcoholic beverage provider to the Olympic Games through 2020.

About Coca-Cola and the Olympic Torch Relay

The Coca-Cola Company's first official involvement with the Olympic Torch Relay occurred with the introduction of the International Olympic Torchbearers Program, sponsored by Coca-Cola, for the Barcelona 1992 Olympic Games, a program that was reprised in Lillehammer in 1994. London 2012 marks the eighth time that Coca-Cola has served as a Presenting Sponsor of the Olympic Torch Relay including Atlanta ('96), Nagano ('98), Salt Lake City ('02), Athens ('04), Torino ('06), Beijing ('08) and Vancouver ('10).