RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil — McDonald’s honoured the spirit of friendship at the 2016 Summer Olympics opening ceremony by giving 100 children from around the world the opportunity to walk in the Parade of Nations at Rio’s legendary Maracanã Stadium on Saturday.
In Canada and the U.S., the Ronald McDonald House Charities organization selected children who have overcome great adversity to participate in the initiative, dubbed McDonald’s Olympic Kids. Participants from Canada included Carter Morrison, 11; Ryker Pearson, 10; Kailah Tetrault, 10; Jacob Comtois, 10; and Rebekah Winsor, 10.
Children from Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Costa Rica, France, Germany, Guadeloupe, Indonesia, Japan, Marinique, Mexico, Panama, Puerto Rico, South Korea, Thailand, the U.K. and the U.S also participated in the walk.
Following the Parade of Nations, the McDonald’s Olympic Kids get to enjoy the events and activities of the competition as well.