in May 2023 Ali Truitt lost her leg in a shark attack while snorkeling in the ocean near Turks and caos seemingly out of nowhere a shark came up and started attacking us we fought back but pretty quickly it had my leg in its mouth and the next thing I knew it had bitten off on my foot and part of my leg after spending her life in the pool now the water represented nothing but fear at that point the last time I had heard the sound of water I was swimming for my life but TR it was determined to overcome her fear several people suggested trying out for the par Olympic LA games in 28 but she didn’t want to wait instead she set her sights on Paris 2024 she never once for any reason at all missed a workout and when she’s here she’s giving 100% of whatever she’s got about 3 and a half months removed from the attack Truitt was competing again I think that’s the beautiful thing about swimming for me it’s truly been one of the big things that’s carried me through my recovery this year and expedited my recovery in terms of self-acceptance and um my ability to feel strong again