The “Before We Were Winners, We Were Beginners” video is the only non-profit organization included among the 32 commercial voting field. Other companies included are Coca-Cola, P&G, Nike, Budweiser, Chobani, Under Armour, Visa and more.
The video features a voiceover from NBC commentator Rowdy Gaines and overlays his race calls with home video footage of the Olympians as kids.
Fans can vote for the SwimToday commercial at http://admeter.usatoday.com/ad-meter-rio-bracket/
Athletes included the video include: Katie Ledecky, Missy Franklin, Ryan Lochte, Michael Phelps, Leah Smith, Simone Manuel and Chase Kalisz.
The ad was created by Minneapolis-based agency Colle+McVoy in connection with the partners in the SwimToday campaign.
SwimToday partners include: USA Swimming, Arena, Speedo, TYR, American Swimming Coaches Association, Swimming World magazine, National Swimming Pool Foundation, Counsilman Hunsaker, Team Unify and the USA Swimming Foundation.
First round voting closes Tuesday, Aug. 16. USA Swimming is up against a commercial from Samsung in the first round.