Australian Paralympic gold medallist Paige Greco has died at the age of 28 after a sudden medical episode at her Adelaide home, South Australian authorities have confirmed. Her family has requested privacy as they grieve.
Greco, who was born with cerebral palsy, began her athletic career in running before switching to cycling. She won Australia's first gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics in the women's C1-3 3,000m individual pursuit and was a consistent podium finisher internationally.
Despite health challenges that prevented her from qualifying for the Paris 2024 Games, Greco returned to elite competition this year and competed at the Para Track World Championships in Brazil as recently as last month.
Her mother, Natalie Greco, described her daughter as a source of joy and pride. “Her kindness, her determination and her warmth touched our family every single day,” she said. “We are incredibly proud of the person she was and the way she represented Australia.”
Marne Fechner, CEO of AusCycling, said the sport was “heartbroken” by the loss, remembering Greco as an extraordinary athlete who “touched the lives of everyone around her with her positive spirit and courageous outlook.”
Cameron Murray, CEO of Paralympics Australia, praised Greco’s humility and ability to uplift others. “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.”
