RIO DE JANEIRO _ Katie Meili finished off an improbable journey from Ivy League swimmer to Olympic medalist Monday night, winning a bronze medal in the women's 100 breaststroke.
Meili's third-place finish put her on the podium with another American _ gold medalist Lilly King. "Before I even swam that race," Meili said, "this whole experience has been a dream come true. It was just icing on the cake."
Originally from Texas, Meili graduated from Columbia with a psychology degree and then moved to Charlotte, N.C., three years ago to join SwimMAC Carolina's Team Elite. She questioned whether she belonged for awhile, having trouble keeping up with other team members who had far better results than she did.
But it turned out Meili could outwork just about anyone. And it also turned out Meili belonged in that pool, and the Olympic one, too.
For much of America, Meili was only a subplot Monday. Her race was billed as a vintage Cold War battle between American Lilly King and convicted Russian drug cheat Yulia Efimova. King, a brash teenager, has made no secret that she believes Efimova _ who was originally banned from these Olympics because of her past doping conviction _ should not have swum in the race.
King had told NBC Sunday night: "You're shaking your finger 'No. 1,' and you've been caught for drug cheating," King said. "I'm not a fan."
Neither were many of the fans at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium, as Efimova was loudly booed during introductions.
King, who also won the U.S. Olympic Trials over Meili, then beat both Meili and Efimova (who got the silver medal) in the race, winning by more than half a second. Afterward, King snubbed Efimova _ who was in the next lane _ and swam directly over to congratulate Meili.
