Sodexo chosen to provide Foodservices for Dakar 2009

Paris, January 12, 2009 - Sodexo was selected as official supplier by A.S.O. (Amaury Sport Organization), organizer of the world-famous Dakar road rally, to provide Foodservices to the 544 participants and 1,200 assistants for the 2009 edition of the race, which started on January 3rd and ends on January 18.

Since 1988, Sodexo has become a well-recognized partner at many of the world's major sporting and cultural events including: The Summer (Sydney, Barcelona) and Winter (Lillehammer, Albertville, Calgary) Olympics, World Youth Day (Paris, Rome and Cologne), the Rugby World Cup (Sydney, Paris), numerous world championships (including track and field and cycling), the Grand Prix Formula 1 (Shanghai), the Ryder Cup (Ireland) and numerous tennis competitions. Sodexo also has worked closely with A.S.O. since 1991 on another major sporting event: The Tour de France.

In managing Dakar 2009, Sodexo is able to draw upon its experience at other major international events, as well as its knowledge of Argentina and Chile, this year's host countries for the race. Sodexo is well-established in Latin America, beginning operations in 1979 and is present today in seven countries with 39,000 employees on 3,200 sites. Clients in Argentina and Chile that have entrusted Sodexo to provide services to their teams include BP, Repsol, Petrobras as well as major international mining companies (including Vale, BHP Billiton, Barrick Gold, Xstrata, Anglo American) with significant remote site operations.

Sodexo shares A.S.O.'s commitment to meeting the challenges of sustainable development and environmental protection. To help reinforce the event's contribution to economic and social development in the local region hosting the event, Sodexo put in place a Sustainability Plan to promote the active participation of local stakeholders (residents, merchants, producers), while respecting the environment.

Throughout the event, Sodexo is providing A.S.O. with 92 employees trained and accustomed to local conditions, including two chefs (one each from Argentina and Chile) and twelve cooks. The Foodservices area managed by Sodexo is a camp consisting of several structures and tents. For 16 straight days, Sodexo's teams, who speak French, English and Spanish, will provide roundthe- clock services, preparing and serving participants and assistants: 29,500 breakfasts, 16,150 lunches, 30,000 dinners and about 22,000 box meals. Four dining events are scheduled during the race, including a large Argentine "asado", on January 18 at the last bivouac in Cordoba.

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About Sodexo
Sodexo, founded in 1966 by Pierre Bellon, is a world leader in Food and Facilities Management services, with more than 355,000 employees on 30,600 sites in 80 countries. For Fiscal 2008, which closed August 31, 2008, SODEXO had revenues of 13.6 billion euros. Listed on Euronext Paris, the Group has a current market capitalization of 6.1 billion euros.

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