Coca-Cola China Employees Present Art Sculpture During Ceremonial Signing at One-Year Countdown to 2007 Games

Contact: Petro Kacur, Coca-Cola Company, 404-676-3127, pressinquiries@na.ko.com; Kirsten Suto Seckler, Special Olympics, 202-715-1147, kseckler@specialolympics.org; Brenda Lee, Coca-Cola Beverages Ltd. (China), 86-21-6101-8354, blee@apac.ko.com

SHANGHAI, China, Oct. 18 /Standard Newswire/ -- The Coca-Cola Company, a founding, global partner of Special Olympics, today announced the extension of its top-level, worldwide sponsorship of the organization, including the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games, one of next year's largest global sports events.

Photo: Special Olympics China athletes celebrate a goal during football (soccer) competition at the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games. They'll be on their home turf at the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games. [Photo by Tom Honan, Ireland Out]

The global sponsorship extension was formalized recently by Muhtar Kent, executive vice president, The Coca-Cola Company, and president, Coca-Cola International; Paul Etchells, president, Coca-Cola China; and Bruce Pasternack, president and chief executive officer, Special Olympics Inc.

To celebrate the renewal of their longtime partnership and also mark the one-year countdown to the next Special Olympics World Summer Games -- Oct. 2-11, 2007, in Shanghai -- executives from The Coca-Cola Company and Special Olympics gathered today at the Shanghai International Press Centre in Pudong, joined by the vice mayor of Shanghai, Mr. Zhou Tai-tong, several Special Olympics athletes, and employees from Coca-Cola (China) Beverages Ltd. and its bottling partner Shanghai Shenmei Beverage and Food Co. Ltd.

The renewed sponsorship agreement was ceremonially signed during today's festivities by Mr. Etchells and Mr. Pasternack.

The worldwide sponsorship commitment, which covers the calendar years 2006 and 2007 -- including support by Coca-Cola China for the 12th World Summer Games -- is comprised of cash, in-kind products and services, and marketing and fund-raising support for Special Olympics.

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 summer and winter editions of the Special Olympics World Games since 1979. The Coca-Cola Company is also the only sponsor supporting the Olympic Games, Paralympic Games and Special Olympics World Games.

''The privilege of being associated with Special Olympics from its inception is reflected in our renewed sponsorship, which continues to represent the highest level of worldwide support possible,'' said Mr. Kent. ''This investment underscores our faith in Special Olympics and how it continues to grow and have impact through its message of inclusion to more people in more countries, making our world a little bit better. Together, we will continue to actively explore new opportunities that take advantage of the reach and influence of both organizations around the globe.''

''Coca-Cola is proud to again have a major role with Special Olympics and the World Games, its pinnacle event,'' said Mr. Etchells. ''Coca-Cola China has been an active supporter of Special Olympics activities across China for many years. Since 2007 will mark the first World Summer Games ever held in Asia, the entire Coca-Cola China organization is inspired and energized to help present this landmark sporting showcase. Our goal is to help make this event a cherished lifetime memory for the athletes, fans and other supporters who will come to China from every corner of the earth, and to enhance the mission and accomplishments of the Special Olympics movement in China.''

''The new agreement demonstrates how seriously Coca-Cola takes its role in supporting our organization worldwide. It is a model for other corporate partners and helps convey our key objective, 'inclusion of all,''' said Mr. Pasternack. ''As we strive to develop more acceptance by society of people with intellectual disabilities, the support of major corporations, led by Coca-Cola, continues to provide inspiration and encouragement.

''China is a key to our movement's future, and it is extremely gratifying that Coca-Cola China and its employees have embraced the 2007 World Summer Games in Shanghai,'' Mr. Pasternack added. ''We have every confidence that their enthusiasm and commitment will make this global sports event a huge success. The efforts by Coca-Cola to help bring the Special Olympics message to the largest nation on earth and share our mission and vision with communities throughout the world open more opportunities for change, for with sports achievement come achievement in family, in school, on the job and in life.''

Designs on ''The Eye''

As a memento saluting the one-year countdown to the 2007 World Summer Games, employees of Coca-Cola China at today's announcement ceremony presented Special Olympics athletes and officials with a large sculpture of ''The Eye'' official logo for next year's Shanghai event. The three-dimensional replica was created from thousands of Coca-Cola bottle caps and assembled by members of the Coca-Cola China family, signifying their commitment to help make next year's international sports gathering the largest and most-successful World Games in the history of Special Olympics.

Coca-Cola also unveiled a special-edition T-shirt celebrating the Special Olympics and featuring a design inspired by Chinese hurdler Liu Xiang, who won an Olympic gold medal at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games and is a spokesperson for both the Special Olympics World Games and Coca-Cola. The apparel features artwork depicting the Chinese character for Xiang (which means ''flying high'') in rainbow colors representing the Special Olympics.

Special Olympics athletes, Coca-Cola employees and other guests at today's announcement ceremony also came together in a special ''interactive zone'' within the press centre, where they enjoyed table tennis, basketball, football (soccer) and golf.

About Coca-Cola

The Coca-Cola Company is the world's largest beverage company. Along with Coca-Cola, recognized as the world's most valuable brand, the Company markets four of the world's top five soft drink brands, including Diet Coke, Fanta and Sprite, and a wide range of other beverages, including diet and light soft drinks, waters, juices and juice drinks, teas, coffees, and energy and sports drinks. Through the world's largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy the Company's beverages at a rate exceeding 1.3 billion servings each day. For more information about The Coca-Cola Company, please visit our website at www.thecoca-colacompany.com.

About Special Olympics

Special Olympics is an international organization that changes lives by promoting understanding, acceptance and inclusion among people with and without intellectual disabilities. Through year-round sports training and athletic competition and other related programming for 2.25 million children and adults with intellectual disabilities in more than 150 countries, Special Olympics has created a model community that celebrates people's diverse gifts. Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Special Olympics provides people with intellectual disabilities continuing opportunities to realize their potential, develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy and friendship. Visit Special Olympics at www.specialolympics.org.

About 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games

2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games will unite the world through sports -celebrating the abilities and accomplishments of people with intellectual disabilities; forming a new global vision of acceptance; and embracing the diversity of all individuals' abilities worldwide. The Shanghai event in October 2007 will mark the first time the World Summer Games will be held in Asia and only the second time the summer edition of the World Games will be held outside the United States.

In addition to some 7,000 athletes, Special Olympics expects the 2007 World Summer Games to draw 40,000 volunteers, 3,500 event officials and thousands of families, spectators and journalists from every continent. Special Olympics athletes of all ability levels will compete in 23 Olympic- type sports, including aquatics, athletics, badminton, basketball, football (soccer), tennis and volleyball.