Petition

To: International Olympic Committee, National Olympic Committees and, National Ministries of Health and Sport

Dear International Olympic Committee: 

Sugary drinks harm people and our planet. By accepting billions from Coca-Cola to sponsor the Olympic Games, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) implicitly endorses a world where health and environmental harms are “sports-washed” away, undermining commitments to use sport to create a better world. This includes the following:

• Harming health. Sugary drinks are a major contributor to rising rates of obesity, Type 2 diabetes and heart disease. With continued Coca-Cola sponsorship, how does the IOC intend to meet its commitment to WHO to promote a healthy society through sport, to advance Sustainable Development Goal 3 (“Good health and well-being”) and prevent non communicable diseases?

• Damaging the environment. Plastic pollution, carbon emissions and water depletion are serious global concerns and are significant drivers of the climate crisis. With continued Coca-Cola sponsorship, how does the IOC intend to honor its commitment to the Paris Agreement on Climate Change?

• Targeting our next generation. Children’s exposure to pervasive, unhealthy food marketing is a major risk factor for childhood obesity. With continued Coca-Cola sponsorship, how does the IOC intend to protect childrenfrom the influence of unhealthy product marketing while also honoring its commitment to youth fitness and health?  

As the leader of the Olympic Movement and guardian of its values, the IOC has a responsibility to prioritize the health and well-being of people and our planet over Big Soda’s corporate interests.  

We urge the IOC to:

1. Terminate Coca-Cola’s Olympic sponsorship.
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2. Commit to not accepting future sponsorship from corporations that harm public health and the environment.

3. Accept sponsorships from corporations genuinely aligned with Olympic values, such as those that promote health and sustainability. 

By kicking Big Soda out of the Olympics, the IOC will show the world that it is not just committed to talking about these values, but that it is truly committed to make the world a better place through sport.