As one of the top sponsors of the Games, McDonald's is primed to become Canada's unofficial Olympic and Paralympic Games headquarters with more than 1,400 restaurants across the country and more than 77,000 employees eager to spread the Olympic spirit.

Here are some of the ways McDonald’s is helping to bring the Olympic and Paralympic Games to life for Canadians from coast to coast.

We're the Official Restaurant

The Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games will mark McDonald's seventh Olympic Games as a top sponsor and eighth as the Official Restaurant of the Olympic Games. Once again, McDonald's will be serving its menu of choice and variety to athletes, coaches, officials and media.

McDonald's Olympic Champion Crew

Chosen for their outstanding work ethic and dedication to excellence they bring to their jobs each and every day, nearly 300 McDonald's Olympic Champion Crew members from restaurants across Canada will have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to proudly serve athletes, coaches, officials and media on-site at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games. As part of their experience, they will also attend selected Olympic events and special functions.

McDonald's Champion Kids^TM

First coordinated at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, where two Canadian kids joined more than 200 others from nearly 40 countries, this program will enable more Canadian children from across Canada to experience the Games unlike any other spectator. As part of McDonald’s ongoing commitment to children, this program also provides an opportunity for them to share their Olympic experience before, during and after the Games, through their hometown media outlets.

McDonald's 2010 Hopefuls

This program celebrates the importance of family and community on the journey to the pinnacle of sport. First launched in Quebec in 2006 and extended nationally in 2008, it supports the aspirations of 26 athletes from coast to coast to compete at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and also recognizes the efforts of parents, as their children strive for the opportunity to represent Canada. The program provides grants to help offset some of the costs involved in areas such as training, coaching and traveling. For more information, visit www.hopefuls2010.ca

Team McDonald's Athletes

A group of past, current and future Olympians - including Patrick Chan, Cassie Campbell, Alexandre Despatie, and Cindy Klassen - who have been selected based on the spirit, enthusiasm, sportsmanship and dedication they bring to their sport and to leading a balanced active lifestyle. The athletes will work with McDonald's Canada to help spread the Olympic Spirit in the coming months through speaking engagements, community functions and restaurant visits.

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 millions of athletes, their families and their fans. And the tradition continues for 2010. McDonald's restaurants across Canada will bring the excitement of the Games to life for our staff members and customers in a variety of food and product promotions and activities.