Alexandra Truwit

Started: She began swimming at an early age. She competed in her first Para swimming meet in 2023, three months after the shark attack that resulted in her impairment. (usparaswimming.org, 25 Apr 2024) Reason: "Water and swimming were always my first loves." (usparaswimming.org, 25 Apr 2024) Ambition: To compete at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (usparaswimming.org, 25 Apr 2024) Additional Info: SHARK ATTACK In 2023 she and a friend were attacked by a shark in the Turks and Caicos Islands, with Truwit's injuries ultimately resulting in her impairment. She and her friend, Sophie Pilkinton, had both been competitive swimmers for Yale University, and Truwit believes that their training in the sport helped to save their lives. She began competing in Para swimming three months after the incident. "We kicked and shoved back, but it bit through my foot and we had to swim 50 to 75 yards back to the boat to save ourselves. Without that training, I'm not sure we would have made it back to the boat in the open ocean. In a story where a really unlucky thing happened, there was a lot of luck in who was around me. I still haven't been back in open water [speaking in April 2024]. But the last time I heard the sound of water we were swimming for our lives. I remember the whole attack; I was conscious the whole time. So it was hard to even hear the sound of water again and not have flashbacks to the attack, and that was definitely something I had to overcome, but it was important to not lose my love of the water." (usparaswimming.org, 25 Apr 2024) INSPIRATION Her prosthetist put her in touch with US Para swimmer Jessica Long, and Truwit says that Long was an important figure as she began Para swimming in 2023. "What a big gift and an inspiration she's been as a Para swimmer during these hugely transitional months that have been so life-changing, but also having her as a friend and a fellow female amputee is game-changing. Her confidence and how she shows her prosthetics proudly outside of the pool gave me strength and self-acceptance. She's so strong, so real, so fast, and I'm lucky to have her in my life. And I could name so many more in Para swimming who've embraced me and really changed my trajectory in this first year as an amputee." (usparaswimming.org, 25 Apr 2024)

Sporting Relatives: Her mother Jody swam for Yale University in the United States of America. (usparaswimming.org, 25 Apr 2024; yalebulldogs.com, 17 Feb 2024)