DARIEN, CT — Darien resident and Paralympic swimmer, Ali Truwit, received a hero’s welcome on Monday as the community celebrated her accomplishments this summer at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris.
Residents and town officials gathered in Grove Street Plaza holding signs, wearing red, white and blue and hats that read “Team Truwit” to welcome the 24-year-old swimmer back to town.
A Darien resident since 2006, Truwit, 24, was bitten by a shark while vacationing in Turks and Caicos in 2023, causing her leg to be amputated.
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Growing up, Truwit swam for both Wee Burn Country Club and the Tokeneke Club in Darien. She graduated from St. Luke’s School in New Canaan, and attended Yale University where she was a Division 1 swimmer in 2023.
Truwit earned two silver medals in Paris last month after winning the 100M backstroke and the 400M freestyle. She broke American records in both events, swimming the backstroke in 1:08:59 and the freestyle in 4:31:39.
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On Monday, Truwit spoke about what the community support has meant to her, from the moment she lost her leg to the two times she stood on the podium in Paris to receive her medals.
She recalled last month’s send-off event in Darien which saw people lining the Post Road to wish her luck in Paris.
“It sent me the message, and anyone else watching, that we’re already enough, and we’ve done enough hard work to be celebrated regardless of medals or As or shiny achievements,” Truwit said.
“It means so much to me, it means so much to the Paralympic movement, and I know it means so much to anyone going through a hard time to know that people care and want to support you,” she added. “You all decorated my driveway with posters and flowers the moment I was released from the hospital, and that support over and over again has continued. For the past 15 months, you’ve continued to show up for me, and I could not be more grateful.”
Truwit said she had extra motivation to compete in Paris as a “thank you” to her doctors, prosthetist, physical therapists, family, swimming coach and community “for helping get through the hardest year of my life.”
“As I stand here right now and look down at two silver medals, I think of all of you, and I hope everyone here knows how much the support you’ve given me and the kindness you’ve shown me and my family, has truly been what’s made these medals and the American records possible,” Truwit continued. “It really was the biggest team effort, and I stand here with just the absolute biggest thank you to all of you for being on my team.”
First Selectman Jon Zagrodzky, who issued a proclamation declaring Sept. 23, 2024 as “Ali Truwit Day” in Darien, said Truwit’s resilience sets an example for all.
“It’s an example of picking yourself up and figuring out a way forward, having a community of people surround you in your time of need, and drawing on the strength of others to try and get through difficult times,” Zagrodzky said. “When you do that, you see the result. It’s a result of success, it’s a result of celebration. I think we should all recognize what Ali has contributed to the community, which is an example for other people who might be struggling.”
Dan O’Keefe, the commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development and Chief Innovation Officer for the state of Connecticut, was in attendance Monday on behalf of Gov. Ned Lamont.
O’Keefe, who has known Truwit and her family since she was little, said he relayed the story of her shark attack and Paralympic triumphs to Oxford area residents impacted by the recent historic flooding events.
“It’s just such an incredible story of strength, resilience and grit,” O’Keefe said.
State Rep. Tracy Marra (R-141) issued a citation to Truwit from the CT General Assembly.
“You have faced adversity and you have overcome it, and we are all very proud of you,” Marra noted.
Baywater Properties CEO David Genovese, who has been a longtime friend of the Truwit family, recounted how he felt when he learned about Ali losing her leg.
“When [my wife] Julie and I learned of the shark attack on Ali we both immediately cried. But I remember speaking with Julie a few moments later and saying something to the effect of, ‘If there’s anyone we know who can turn a tragedy like this into triumph, it’s Ali. That young woman is just extraordinary,'” Genovese said.
Genovese went on to say that Truwit’s story has had a “profound impact on so many people around the globe.”
“The way you have responded to this chapter in your life is awe-inspiring. We are so proud of you and we cannot wait to see what path you choose from here,” Genovese said. “Know that your community was behind you when you left for Paris, we’re here for you to celebrate your return and your accomplishments, and we’ll have your back forever.”
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