McDonald's® Launches Contest to Send 10 Kids to the

Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games

McDonald's is inviting 11 to 14 year-olds to enter in an on-line essay contest for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to join Olympic Gymnast Shawn Johnson at the Olympic Winter Games in February 2010 as a McDonald's ® Champion Kid and hometown correspondent.

The online contest is open for entries through October 30, 2009. Kids ages 11-14 (with parent or guardian consent) are eligible to submit an online essay and video or photo to demonstrate what the Olympic Values of friendship, excellence and respect mean to them, and explain why they should be chosen to represent their hometown as a McDonald's Champion Kid.

Ten lucky winners from across the U.S., each accompanied by a parent or guardian, will be selected to attend the Olympic Winter Games sporting events, meet athletes and other McDonald's Champion Kids from around the world, explore Vancouver, and tell their stories to the country!

For 2009 McDonald's ® Champion Kids contest information and rules, please visit www.mcdonalds.com/championkids.