Last year, Ali Truwit took a trip to Turks and Caicos with her swimming teammate from Yale to celebrate their college graduation. While snorkeling one day, a shark approached the women and attacked them, completely severing Truwit’s foot. After swimming to the nearest boat and being airlifted to safety, Truwit underwent surgeries to fight infection and had her leg amputated below the knee. Despite the trauma she endured, Truwit was determined to swim again. She began physical therapy and made her way back into the pool, but questioned if she would ever be able to compete again. After having a conversation with legendary Paralympic swimmer Jessica Long, Truwit had her eyes set on making it to the Paralympics. She committed herself to mentally and physically training, competing in her first Para swimming meet just three months after the shark attack. After clinching tons of wins at swim meets over the past year, Truwit has officially qualified for the 2024 Paralympic Games. Just over a year after surviving a shark attack, Truwit will be in the Olympic pool in Paris making her dreams come true.
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