Bartlesville video company produces inspirational video shown to U.S. swimmers

BARTLESVILLE, Okla. (AP) -- They didn't get in the water, but employees at a Bartlesville film and video production company may have contributed to the 33 medals U.S. swimmers have won in the 2000 Olympics.

Pioneer Productions was commissioned by USA Swimming to create an inspirational video for the U.S. Swim Team.

The company's video, titled "The Race Is in Your Heart," was shown to the Olympic team and to team alumni, and received a moving response, said USA Swimming managing director Skip Gilbert.

"When we presented this piece to our National Team Alumni luncheon during the Olympic trials in August, there were very few dry eyes among the crowd," Gilbert said. "That speaks volumes for the quality of work from Pioneer Productions."

Pioneer Video Producer Ann-Janette Webster said the company was pleased the athletes responded so well to the video.

"Of course, they train their whole lives for these events. But to think we might have played even a small part in their success by inspiring them is remarkable," she said.

To shoot the 20-minute documentary-style video, the Pioneer Productions crew shot the U.S. Open in San Antonio in December and also traveled to the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs to capture the atmosphere of training world-class athletes.

The film combines historic film and video footage from past Olympiads to tell the stories of each year's top Olympic moments and encourage current Olympians.

Most of the footage came directly from the International Olympic Committee.

Bartlesville musician Jarrod Elmore wrote the video's music score.

Highlights of the film include Mark Spitz's sweep of seven gold medals in 1972; Janet Evan's gold medal victories at age 16 in 1988; and Amy Van Dyken's record-setting women's races in 1996.

Pioneer Productions also produced commercials featuring U.S.

Olympic medal winners which will begin airing soon.