Because McDonald's is a major sponsor of the London 2012 Olympics, other food vendors were not allowed to sell chips on their own -- only when sold together with fish. While the frustration has led McDonald's to now allow vendors to sell chips in and around Olympic venues, the "embargo" still holds in the park.

Cue frustrated scenes at the lunch counter in the ceremonies catering area where staff were toiling over the staging for Danny Boyle's 27 July opening extravaganza. "Please understand this is not the decision of the staff who are serving up your meals who, given the choice, would gladly give it to you, however they are not allowed to," read a notice pinned up by staff. "Please do not give the staff grief, this will only lead to us removing fish and chips completely."

"It's sorted," said a spokesman for Locog. "We have spoken to McDonald's about it."

But the embargo will hold in other areas. That means no chips with anything other than fish anywhere else in the park unless spectators dine at McDonald's.