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Alexandra Truwit

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Alexandra Truwit
Personal information
NicknameAli
Born (2000-05-31) May 31, 2000 (age 24)[1]
Darien, Connecticut, U.S.
EducationYale University
Sport
SportParalympic swimming
Disability classS10
Medal record
Women's para swimming
Representing the  United States
Paralympic Games
Silver medal – second place 2024 Paris 400 m freestyle S10
Silver medal – second place 2024 Paris 100 m backstroke S10

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

Early life and education

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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

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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

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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]

References

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