Angry that they’re taking so much heat from activist groups for sponsoring the Olympics that’s hosted in a Darfur-hating country, big name sponsors are fighting back against orgs like Mia Farrow’s Dreams for Darfur.

That outfit issued a report card on 19 Olympics sponsors, awarding sixteen of them Ds or Fs. Giant corporations with billions and market value and shareholders with a tendency to bitch aren’t taking it lightly.

Spits Coca-Cola: “For an organization that has not eased the suffering of a single individual on the ground in Darfur to criticize those who are helping thousands every day is more than ironic.” Johnson & Johnson adds: “Given the complexities of the tragedy in Darfur, we are disappointed that Dream for Darfur has used such a narrow context by which to evaluate the company’s response.” Fires off General Electric: “We commend Dream for Darfur for raising awareness of this tragic situation, however we strongly disagree with the organization’s approach as well as the use of the Olympic Games as a political platform and the assertions made in the report card.” And also:

The three companies pointed to their efforts in Darfur. Ms. Gawreluk said that Johnson & Johnson donates cash and products to the region through organizations such as Unicef and the International Rescue Committee. Mr. Brooks said that Coca-Cola has pledged more than $5 million to providing water in the Sudan, among other efforts. Ms. Latour noted the GE Foundation has donated $4 million to humanitarian aid for refugees. [NYT]