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Muthar Kent, President and Chief Operating Officer, The Coca-Cola Company defends Special Olympics athlete Freddie McAllister, of Fort Valley, Georgia, at the company's headquarters as Timothy Shriver (L), Chairman of Special Olympics, cheers them on. Coca-Cola hosted the Special Olympics International Board of Directors meeting on 20 May 2008, where the two organizations renewed their partnership through 2011. (HO-Photo-Michael Pugh, The Coca-Cola Company). |
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Coca-Cola and Special Olympics Further Partnership On 40th Anniversary of Relationship
Washington D.C. -- (May 20, 2008) The Coca-Cola Company and Special Olympics today announced the renewal of their partnership through 2011 and further strengthened their 40-year relationship. To celebrate the renewal of a partnership that dates to the founding of Special Olympics in 1968, The Coca-Cola Company hosted the semi-annual Special Olympics International Board of Directors meeting at the world headquarters of Coca-Cola in Atlanta, Georgia, where Board members, along with other Coca-Cola employees, participated in sporting activities with invited Special Olympics athletes.
The worldwide sponsorship commitment, which covers the calendar years 2008 through 2011 - including support for the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games and the 2011 World Summer Games - consists of cash, in-kind products and services, technical support and marketing and fund-raising support for Special Olympics.
Coca-Cola has provided long-time support for Special Olympics through its senior leadership. In 2007, Muhtar Kent, Coca-Cola's President and Chief Operating Officer, was elected to the Special Olympics International Board of Directors and, just recently, Coca-Cola identified J. Brady Lum to serve Special Olympics as President and COO. Lum joins Special Olympics after spending 15 years at Coca-Cola, serving in a variety of senior management positions. Most recently, he held the position of Vice President and Project Director, Manifesto for Growth, at Coca-Cola headquarters.
It is appropriate that in a year when we celebrate the 40th anniversary of our founding partnership with Special Olympics that we further strengthen the ties that bond our organizations, said Kent. It is a reflection that we are natural partners because we share the same values of inclusion, acceptance and optimism.
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Coca-Cola, which became a founding partner of Special Olympics when the organization was established in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, has been deeply involved with both the World Summer Games and World Winter Games since 1979. Coca-Cola supports the Olympic Games, Paralympic Games and Special Olympics World Games, three global events that bring people together from all around the world through sport.
About Coca-Cola
The Coca-Cola Company is the world's largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with more than 450 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, 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 1.5 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 Web site at www.thecoca-colacompany.com.
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