Coca-Cola Brings Olympians LeBron James and Yao Ming Together in New Global Olympic Commercial

With just
one year to go until “08-08-08” and the Opening Ceremony for the 2008 Olympic
Games in Beijing, The Coca-Cola Company is announcing plans for a new global
Olympic television commercial featuring Olympians LeBron James and Yao Ming.

The
Olympic Games in
Beijing will represent the
largest union of cultures in the history of the modern Games, and the new ad
will highlight James and

Yao
as “Olympic Ambassadors” who symbolize how the world comes together over a
Coca-Cola during the Games. The new commercial will be part of the global “Coke
Side of Life” campaign.

The
Coca-Cola Company has proudly partnered with the Olympic Games for almost 80
years, longer than any other sponsor. The Company and its brands espouse the
same ideals of unity and physical and mental well-being that are a central part
of the Olympic Movement. “We are excited about the coming year of uplifting
Coca-Cola programs that will celebrate the magic of the 2008 Olympic Games
together with our partners and consumers,” said Hendrik Steckhan, president and
general manager, Sparkling Beverages, Coca-Cola North America. “The Olympic
Games and Coca-Cola both connect people in a positive, inspiring way. In our
new commercial, LeBron and

Yao
will come together not as competitors, but as individuals to show how the
Olympic Games and Coca-Cola truly unite cultures and people.”

“I am
extremely proud to be a member of the

U.S. Olympic team,” said LeBron
James, co-captain of Team USA Basketball. “The Olympics bring people from
around the world together to share in the spirit of the Games. Teaming with my
fellow NBA All-Star Yao Ming in the new Coca Cola Olympic commercial
demonstrates how East and West will unite during the 2008 Olympic Games in

Beijing.”

“It is an
honor to represent

China
in the Olympic Games and in this special Coca-Cola ad that will be seen by
millions of people around the world,” said Yao Ming, member of Team China
Basketball. “I’m looking forward to sharing a Coca-Cola with LeBron and the
world in our new Olympic commercial.”

Yao Ming’s
new association with Coca-Cola was announced in July when Coca-Cola
China unveiled its “Coca-Cola Olympic Star Team,”
a group of athletes who will be part of a variety of Coca-Cola programs in

China including
special packing, advertising and promotions. LeBron James has been involved
with the Company since 2003 and has taken part in multiple activities for brands
Sprite and POWERADE. This new ad will be the first global Coca-Cola commercial
for both athletes.

Over the
next year in
China, the

U.S., and
dozens of other countries around the world, numerous Coca-Cola programs will
help connect people with the Olympic Games and build excitement for “08-08-08.”
Coca-Cola is also a worldwide partner of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Torch Relay,
which will visit multiple countries on six continents – including
San Francisco on April 9, 2008 — and criss-cross mainland

China before the cauldron is
lit in

Beijing.

To
celebrate the “one-year-out” milestone, Coca-Cola
China
is hosting a number of events in

Beijing.
The activities included a celebration on August 5 in

Chaoyang
Park,
a popular recreation area, where more than 40,000 visitors were able to
participate in interactive games, have their photo taken with the Beijing
Olympic Torch and view a display chronicling the partnership between The
Coca-Cola Company and the Olympic Games. On the evening of August 7 hundreds of
invited guests will count down the last moments to the stroke of midnight at
the Olympic Center adjacent to the Beijing National Stadium. Chinese athletes
and

“Coca-Cola
Olympic Star Team” members Yao Ming and Liu Xiang, gold medalist in the 110
meters hurdles, will be present to share their excitement about the 2008
Beijing Olympic Games. Additionally, Coca-Cola unveiled a “One Year To Go” pin
to commemorate the occasion.

Residents
and visitors to
Beijing will also see the
largest outdoor advertising presence ever seen in

China. Depicting members of the “Star
Team” and featuring “Coke Side of Life” graphics, the campaign with the theme
of “Shuang is Coming,” will be present in half of

Beijing’s public transport advertising panels
beginning this month. The word “shuang,” which means physical, emotional and
spiritual refreshment, is reflective of the optimism and excitement for the
Beijing Olympic Games.

The
Coca-Cola Company has been an Olympic partner since 1928 and is the longest
continuous corporate supporter of the Olympic Movement. As a sponsor, the
Company works with National Olympic Committees in more than 200 countries to
help athletes train and compete. More than 90 percent of the Coca-Cola system’s
investment in the Olympic Games is directed to athlete development and to
assist in staging the Games. The Coca-Cola Company is the exclusive nonalcoholic
beverage provider to the Olympic Games through 2020.