Australian Paralympic gold medallist Paige Greco dies at 28

Australian Paralympic gold medallist Paige Greco has died at the age of 28 following a “sudden medical episode,” her family confirmed on Monday, BBC reports.

Greco, who had cerebral palsy, initially competed in track-and-field before turning to cycling in 2018. She quickly rose to prominence, achieving top results on both track and road.

At the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, she set a new world record in the women’s C1–C3 3,000m individual pursuit and won bronze in the C1-3 road race and time trial.

She also claimed multiple world championship titles, including a bronze in the 2025 para-cycling World Championship road race in Belgium, The Guardian reports.

Family pays tribute

Greco died at her Adelaide home on Sunday, AusCycling, the sport’s national governing body, confirmed. Her mother, Natalie Greco, said in a statement: “While we are devastated by her loss, we are incredibly proud of the person she was and the way she represented Australia. Paige cherished the connections she made through her sport, and we take comfort in knowing how widely she was loved.”

Sporting community mourns

AusCycling chief executive Marne Fechner described Greco as an “extraordinary athlete who achieved outstanding accomplishments at the highest levels of our sport. Much more than that, she touched the lives of everyone around her with her positive spirit and courageous outlook.”

Paralympics Australia chief executive Cameron Murray added, “Paige’s 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.”

Career highlights

• Turned to cycling in 2018 after track-and-field career

• Tokyo 2020 Paralympics: gold in C1–C3 3,000m pursuit; bronze in C1-3 road race and time trial

• Multiple World Championship titles and World Cup medals

• 2025: bronze in C3 road race at para-cycling World Championships in Belgium