PA
McDonald's are trying to win over their critics with an Olympic themed campaign to make children healthier.
After facing criticism for being an Olympics sponsor, McDonald's is to launch a new 'Happy Meal' promotion giving away activity toys as part of its 'Mascotathon' campaign.
The toys will monitor how many steps or jumps the children take in a day, which youngsters can then enter onto a website which converts them into energy for Games mascots Wenlock and Mandeville.
The fast-food giant also plans to give away free sport session vouchers.
The Academy of Medical Royal Colleges has recently called for a ban on companies like McDonald's sponsoring sporting events in a bid to tackle childhood obesity.
Professor Terence Stephenson, said the involvement of Coca-Cola and McDonald's in the Games was 'most unhelpful', saying: "One of the biggest events we're ever going to see in the UK – all those people watching TV and going through the doors will be seeing this. People must be influenced by it, or why would Coca-Cola spend a lot of money to be at the Olympics?"
McDonald's will be the only branded food in the Olympic Park and the Athlete's Village. It says that its new campaign would mean kids from all over the UK can get involved in the 'fun' of the Olympics.
Jo Webster, the company's head of UK marketing told The Guardian that the campaign and a regional tour by the London 2012 mascots around its outlets 'take the Olympics out of London and make sure kids can get involved and have some fun.'
Hmmm. What do you think? Should McDonald's be allowed to sponsor the Games?