LONDON, April 18 (Reuters) - Danone, whose CEO first

reached out to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in

mid-2022 to get involved, is betting on the Paris Games' focus

on health and nutrition to boost summer sales of its yoghurts

and plant-based products.

Dozens of major French companies have emerged as first-time

partners of the Olympic Games this year, hoping to take

advantage of the sales opportunities and marketing exposure the

event typically gives sponsors.

Through press releases and marketing materials, the IOC has

made it clear that sponsors selling food and beverages -

including Coca Cola bottled water and Nestle's Garden Gourmet

meat alternatives - are part of a drive by the Olympics to

promote health and wellness.

The move is a far-cry from the past, when McDonald's

was a seven-time sponsor of the event until the London 2012

Games - for which it said it would serve about 50,000 Big Macs,

100,000 portions of fries and 30,000 milkshakes.

When Antoine de Saint-Affrique became Danone CEO

in 2022, one of the first things he did was to meet with the

head of the Olympic Games.

"Our plant based products, yoghurts, especially those with

high protein ... are extremely relevant for athletes and people

who take care of their health," the company's chief financial

officer Juergen Esser told Reuters in an interview.

"Obviously we will display our full portfolio including on

waters to take care of hydration," he added.

Danone's Evian water brand, however, did not manage secure

the deal to sell bottled water at the event, which went to

long-time sponsor Coca-Cola. Its other brands include Activia

yoghurts and Silk plant-based products.