Australian Paralympic gold medallist Paige Greco has died, aged 28, her family has confirmed.
Greco died on Sunday after “experiencing a sudden medical episode” at her home in Adelaide.
“Paige meant everything to us. Her kindness, her determination and her warmth touched our family every single day,” Natalie Greco, Paige’s mother, said in a statement released by AusCycling on behalf of the family.
“She brought so much joy and pride into our lives, and the pain of her passing is something we will carry forever.
“While we are devastated by her loss, we are incredibly proud of the person she was and the way she represented Australia.
“As a family, we are deeply grateful for the support shown by so many people connected to Paige, including her teammates and friends. Paige cherished the connections she made through her sport, and we take comfort in knowing how widely she was loved.”
Paige Greco was a multiple time world champion in para-cycling. (Getty Images: PA Images/Tim Goode)
Greco won Australia’s first gold medal of the 2020 Tokyo Games, triumphing in the women’s C1-C3 3,000m individual pursuit, setting a new world record.
She would go on to win bronze in the women’s C1-C3 road race and time trial at the Tokyo Games.
Greco would be awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for services to sport in 2022.
Cameron Murray, the chief executive of Paralympics Australia, said Greco’s was admired for her character and the way she represented her country.
“Paige was an extraordinary athlete, but more importantly, a remarkable person,” Murray said.
“As a Paralympian, Paige represented Australia with a level of commitment and composure that earned the admiration of everyone who had the privilege to watch her compete or to work alongside her.
“Her achievements on the international stage were exceptional, but it was her kindness, her quiet determination and the way she uplifted people around her that will stay with us all. She had a rare ability to make people feel included and supported, and her influence will no doubt leave a lasting impression on so many.”
Greco started her journey to the Paralympics as a runner, attempting to qualify for the Rio Games in 2016.
After missing out on the team in 2016, Greco turned her focus to para-cycling, moving to Adelaide to work with the South Australian Sports Institute and complete a degree in exercise sports science in 2018.
Before becoming a Paralympic and world champion in para-cycling, Paige Greco started her career in para-athletics as a runner. (Getty Images: Morne de Klerk)
Greco’s maiden international debut came at the 2019 Para-cycling Track World Championships in the Netherlands.
Greco broke three world records and won gold in the women’s C3 3,000m individual pursuit and the C3 500m time trial.
Later that year, Greco would claim a road cycling world championship in the C3 time trial, and placed fifth in the road race.
After fulfilling her dream of representing Australia at the Paralympics in 2021, where she won a gold and two bronze, Greco would win four bronze medals at world championships across 2022 and 2023.
This year, Greco claimed a bronze in the UCI World Cup time trial in Ostend, Belgium.
At the 2025 UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships in August, also in Belgium, Greco would add another bronze medal to her list of achievements in the road race.
“Paige was an extraordinary athlete who achieved outstanding accomplishments at the highest levels of our sport.” Marne Fechner, chief executive of AusCycling, said.
“Much more than that, she touched the lives of everyone around her with her positive spirit and courageous outlook.”
In the statement released on Monday morning, AusCycling and Paralympics Australia said they would provide support to Paige Greco’s loved ones and “honour her legacy appropriately”.