Alexandra Truwit Explained

Alexandra Truwit (born May 31, 2000) is an American Paralympic swimmer. She represented the United States at the 2024 Summer Paralympics.

Early life and education

Truwit attended St. Luke's School in New Canaan, Connecticut.^[2] Her high school didn't have a swim team, so she swam for the Chelsea Piers Swim team.^[3]

She attended Yale University and was a member of the Yale Bulldogs swimming and diving team.^[4] She graduated from Yale with a Bachelor of Science degree in cognitive science and behavioral economics.^[5]

Career

During the 2024 United States Paralympic trials, Truwit set an American record in the 100 m backstroke S10 event with a time of 1:08.98.^[6] On June 30, 2024, she was named to team USA's roster to compete at the 2024 Summer Paralympics.^{[7] [8] [9]} She won two Paralympic silver medals: in the women’s S10 400-meter freestyle and 100m backstroke.^[10]

Personal life

Truwit's mother, Jody, was captain of Yale's women's swimming and diving team in 1991.^[3] In May 2023, two days after graduating from Yale University, Truwit was on a vacation in the Turks and Caicos Islands, with her friend Sophie Pilkinton. While snorkeling in the Caribbean Sea, she was the victim of a shark attack, biting her foot off at the ankle, and part of her leg.^[11] She then had to swim 50 to 75 yards to get back to their boat for safety. After returning to the boat, Pilkinton stopped the bleeding on Truwit's leg by applying a tourniquet, helping to save her life. She was then airlifted to a Miami hospital and underwent two life-saving surgeries to help fight infections.^{[12] [13]} On her birthday, May 31, her leg was amputated below her knee to allow for better mobility with a prosthetic.^{[14] [15]}

Notes and References

1. Web site: Alexandra Truwit . . August 26, 2024.
2. Web site: Ali Truwit '18 Is Paris Bound . stlukesct.org . July 1, 2024 . August 26, 2024.
3. Web site: Ali Truwit . teamusa.com . August 26, 2024.
4. Web site: Ali Truwit . yalebulldogs.com . August 26, 2024.
5. Web site: Ali Truwit . airmail.news . Jack . Sullivan . August 3, 2024 . August 26, 2024.
6. Web site: Elizabeth Marks Ties World Record on Opening Night of U.S. Paralympic Swimming Trials . swimswam.com . Riley . Overend . June 27, 2024 . August 26, 2024.
7. Web site: U.S. Paralympics Swimming Roster Announced for 2024 Paralympic Games . usparaswimming.org . Kristen . Gowdy . June 30, 2024 . August 26, 2024.
8. Web site: After losing leg in shark attack, CT native is set to compete on US paralympic team . . July 11, 2024 . August 26, 2024.
9. Web site: Darien swimmer who lost part of her leg in shark attack clinches Paralympic Games spot . . Eva . Zymaris . July 1, 2024 . August 26, 2024.
10. News: Reentering the pool caused ‘flashbacks’ to shark attack in which she lost her leg. Now this swimmer has two Paralympic medals . Riddell . Don . 2024-09-08 . 2024-09-09 . CNN.
11. Web site: Former Yale swimmer from Darien sets sights on Paralympics after losing leg in shark attack . . Elizabeth L. T. . Moore . May 28, 2024 . August 26, 2024.
12. Web site: One Year After Devastating Shark Attack, Ali Truwit Is Back In The Water, Now As A Para Swimmer . usparaswimming.org . Karen . Price . April 25, 2024 . August 26, 2024.
13. Web site: A shark attack nearly ended a star swimmer's career — but it hasn't kept her from the water . . Greg . Hyatt . Emilie . Ikeda . August 23, 2024 . August 26, 2024.
14. Web site: Former Yale Swimmer Ali Truwit Eyes Paralympic Debut One Year After Losing Leg in Shark Attack . swimswam.com . Riley . Overend . May 6, 2024 . August 26, 2024.
15. Web site: Connecticut Paralympian felt ‘depth of sadness’ after shark attack. Now she’s loving the water again. . . Christine . Butterfield . August 22, 2024 . August 26, 2024.