The family of Australian Paralympian Paige Greco has paid tribute to the beloved athlete after her recent passing at age 28 from a sudden medical episode in her Adelaide home.
“Paige meant everything to us. Her kindness, her determination and her warmth touched our family every single day,” said Paige’s mother Natalie Greco, in a statement, shared by AusCycling, Paralympics Australia and the wider cycling and Para-sport communities.
“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.”
Natalie said that their family are “deeply grateful” to the support given to them from friends and teammates of Paige, as well as the broader community.
“Paige cherished the connections she made through her sport, and we take comfort in knowing how widely she was loved.”
“We are grieving deeply and ask for privacy, time and space to navigate this overwhelming loss.”
One of Australia’s most accomplished Para-cyclists and a history-making Paralympian, Paige won Australia’s first gold medal of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, while also breaking the world record in the Women’s C1-3 3000m Individual Pursuit.
She went on to win bronze medals in the Women’s C1-3 Road Race and Time Trial at the Tokyo Games.
Over her impressive career, Paige claimed multiple World Championship titles and World Cup medals, including a 2025 World Championship bronze in the Road Race.
In 2022, Paige was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for services to sport.
Defying expectations
Born with cerebral palsy, Paige told a video for Stan Sport in 2024 that the doctors had once told her parents they thought she would struggle to do exercise. It was this drive to defy expectations that led Paige to world class success on the bike.
“I think I’ve always had that drive in me that, ‘Yeah, OK, I do have cerebral palsy, but I’m still going to compete because that’s what I love to do’,” Paige said.
Chief Executive Officer of AusCycling Marne Fechner said the organisation was “heartbroken by the tragic news of Paige’s death”.
“Paige was 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.”
Chief Executive Officer of Paralympics Australia Cameron Murray also spoke to Paige’s incredible character both in and out of sport.
“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.”
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