Australian Paralympic gold medallist Paige Greco has died after ‘experiencing a sudden medical episode’ aged 28, her family have revealed.
Greco passed away on Sunday at her home in Adelaide.
She won Australia’s first gold medal at the Tokyo Paralympics, riding to victory in the women’s C1-C3 3000m individual pursuit cycling race, in which she set a world record.
‘Paige meant everything to us,’ Greco’s mother Natalie said in a statement.
‘Her kindness, her dedication and her warmth touched our family every single day.
Paige Greco is being mourned after her tragic death on Sunday, aged just 28
The cycling star won gold for Australia at the Paralympics in Tokyo, setting a world record in the process
‘She brought so much joy and pride into our lives, and the pain of her passing is something we’ll carry forever.
‘While we are devastated by her loss, we are incredibly proud of the person she was and how she represented Australia.’
Greco – who suffered from cerebral palsy that mainly affected the right side of her body – received the Medal of the Order of Australia for services to sport in 2022.
She was a four-time world champion who also won two bronze medals in Tokyo, and was named Cycling Australia’s Para Female Track Cyclist of the Year in 2019.
‘As a family, we are deeply grateful for the support shown by so many people connected to Paige, including her teammates and friends,’ Natalie Greco said.
‘Paige cherished the connections she made through her sport, and we take comfort in knowing how widely she was loved.’
Paralympics Australia chief executive Cameron Murray paid tribute to the cycling star.
‘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 privelege to watch her compete or to work alongside her.’
More to come…
