The Paris Paralympic Games have kicked off, featuring inspiring athletes from around the world. Among them is 24-year-old American swimmer Ali Truwit, whose journey to the games is nothing short of extraordinary.
Lost leg in Shark Attack
Just 15 months ago, Truwit lost her leg in a terrifying shark attack.
In May 2023, Truwit was snorkeling with her friend Sophie Pilkinton in the Turks and Caicos Islands when a shark suddenly attacked her, biting off her left foot and part of her lower leg.
The incident was a shocking and life-threatening experience for Truwit, who had been a strong swimmer at the collegiate level in the U.S.
Reflecting on the attack, Truwit recalls:
"My first thought was, 'Am I completely crazy, or is my foot gone?'"
Despite the severity of the situation, she and Pilkinton managed to swim 70 meters back to their boat, with the shark still nearby. Pilkinton quickly applied a tourniquet, which ultimately saved Truwit's life.
Determined to Keep Swimming
After being flown back to the U.S., Truwit underwent three surgeries, one of which, on her 23rd birthday, resulted in the amputation of her leg below the knee.
The road to recovery was long and arduous, filled with "dark days" and intense therapy sessions. Yet, Truwit was determined not to let the attack take away her love for the water.
Training in her family's backyard pool, Truwit worked tirelessly to overcome her trauma and set new goals. Originally aiming for the 2028 Paralympics in Los Angeles, she decided to push herself even further, successfully qualifying for the 2024 Games in Paris.
Now, just over a year after the attack, Truwit will compete in the S10 classification, which includes athletes with a limb deficiency. She is set to swim in the 100 and 400-meter freestyle and 100-meter backstroke, with her eyes on a medal.
"I love comeback stories," Truwit said. "I've relied on the comeback stories of others to hold onto the bold and unrealistic hope that I could survive a shark attack, lose a limb, and make it to the Paralympics within a year."
