P&G yesterday welcomed the Moms and families of some of the world’s Olympians to London at a special celebration to officially open the P&G Family Home – a ‘home-away-from-home’ for athletes and families during the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Marc Pritchard, P&G Global Brand Building Officer, surprised more than 60 moms at the event by revealing the gift from the stage saying “You have walked with the athletes every step of their journey…. Which is why we did not want you to miss them walking in a very special place. What could be more exciting, we thought, than for a mom to see her child walk into the Olympic Stadium for the first time and join in the “March of Nations”? 

“No visit to the Olympic Games would be complete without a trip to the Opening Ceremony. So it is our absolute pleasure to announce a special surprise for the Moms  and their guests,” added Pritchard.

The opening of the P&G Family Home is the latest milestone in P&G’s Thank You Mom campaign that recognizes the role of Moms and families in every athlete’s journey to the London 2012 Olympic Games. The event was attended by the Moms and families of nearly 60 of the world’s top Olympians including Ryan Lochte, Lin Dan, Sir Chris Hoy, Felipe Franca, Noko Matlou and Nikita Lobintsev. Bob McDonald, Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Procter & Gamble Company, also welcomed IOC President Jacques Rogge who made the official welcome address.

President Rogge said, “It is an absolute honour to meet so many Moms and families of the world’s Olympians here in London. An athlete’s family plays a critical role in their journey to the Olympic Games involving years of sacrifices, early mornings, kit laundering, taxiing and, of course, plenty of emotional support. The P&G Family Home is a wonderful way to say ‘thank you’ to them, many of whom are a very long way from home. I am delighted that so many of the Moms and families will be joining the celebration at the Opening Ceremony. We hope it will be an experience they will all treasure.”

In addition to viewing and meals in the Family Home, P&G will provide services like laundry courtesy of Ariel/Tide®, a Pampers® Play Village for their littlest athletes and some well-deserved hair & beauty treatments at their own exclusive salon. 

UK Mom and singing sensation Rebecca Ferguson serenaded the Moms at the event with an exclusive live performance. It included the world premiere of a special rendition of her hit single Nothing’s Real But Love to honor the Olympians and their Moms.

P&G is the first Worldwide Olympic Partner to recognize the role of Moms and families in an Olympian’s athletic development.  

To help bring to life the role Moms play, P&G has created a series of documentary style videos that tell – through the eyes of a mom – the story of what it takes to Raise an Olympian.  These videos are available on P&G You Tube Channels, as well as Yahoo’s Shine sites/Team Mom tab around the globe.

The Company’s Thank You Mom campaign is the largest in its 175-year history and is brought to life in four million stores around the world, where consumers can participate. Purchases of trusted P&G brands help deliver on the promise of $5 million pledged to help fund youth sports programs everywhere, which help kids develop important skills.

For a full list of assets and information related to the P&G Thank You Mom campaign, including photos and video, visit www.PGThankYouMomMediaCenter.com.

IOC President Jacques Rogge (center) with Bob McDonald, Chairman, President and CEO of P&G (right), Marc Pritchard, Global Brand Building Officer at P&G (left) and Moms of Olympians from across the globe at the official opening of the P&G Family Home on July 25, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Tom Dulat/Getty Images for P&G)