Paralympic Champion Suddenly Dies at 28

She had clawed her way back from a devastating crash that nearly ended everything. But now, in a cruel twist of fate, the Paralympic champion has died suddenly, surrounded by her shattered family in Adelaide — leaving behind a trail of gold, glory, and unanswered questions.

Paige Greco, a 28-year-old athlete who once brought a nation to its feet with her historic win in Tokyo, passed away on Sunday, November 16, 2025.

Australia Shattered by the Loss of a Golden Girl

AusCycling confirmed the heartbreaking news the following day, November 17, in a public statement that expressed deep sorrow on behalf of her loved ones. "The family of Australian Paralympian Paige Greco is joined by AusCycling, Paralympics Australia and the wider cycling and para-sport communities in deeply mourning her tragic passing," the statement read.

Her heartbroken mother, Natalie Greco, spoke on behalf of the family in an emotional tribute that revealed the deep bond they shared. "Paige meant everything to us. Her kindness, her determination and her warmth touched our family every single day. She brought so much joy and pride into our lives, and the pain of her passing is something we will carry forever," she said.

"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," her mother added.

"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," concluded the heartbroken parent.

South Australian authorities confirmed that Paige experienced a sudden medical episode, but released no further information — a mysterious loss that has left the sporting world in mourning.

A Paralympic Force of Nature Who Made History

Greco wasn't just a competitor — she was a trailblazing force. At the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, she made history by winning Australia's first gold medal of the Games.

Her stunning victory in the women's C1–3 3,000m individual pursuit came with a world record time of 3 minutes, 50.815 seconds, clocking an average speed of 46.791 kilometers per hour.

She didn't stop there. Greco powered her way to two more bronze medals — one in the Women's C1–3 Road Race and another in the Time Trial — proving herself a champion on both track and road. Her incredible momentum carried into 2025, where she added a bronze medal in the Road Race at the World Championships.

'A Remarkable Person': Tributes Pour in for Fallen Star

Cameron Murray, Chief Executive Officer of Paralympics Australia, described her legacy as one that would never be forgotten. "We extend our deepest condolences to Paige's loved ones and to those who were closest to her. The sadness being felt across Paralympics Australia today is a reflection of the enormous regard in which she was held," he noted.

"Paige was an extraordinary athlete, but more importantly, a remarkable person. 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," he continued.

"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," expressed Murray.

Born with cerebral palsy, Greco began her sporting journey in para-athletics before switching to para-cycling in 2018. In 2019, she exploded onto the world stage at the UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships in Apeldoorn. There, she set three world records, claiming two golds and a silver in a performance that marked her as a star on the rise.

Reflecting on her meteoric rise, Greco had said during the Tokyo 2020 Games, "Yeah, I'm fairly new to it. 2019 was my first international competitions, so it's been a pretty awesome few years. I'm loving every bit of it. I've been working really hard. Before cycling I did athletics and that built a really good foundation of strength and my ability of how to race and how to pace myself on race day."

The Crash That Nearly Ended Everything

But her journey was not without brutal setbacks. In April 2023, Greco suffered a traumatic crash during a Time Trial at the Para-cycling World Cup in Italy.

Traveling at 45 kilometers per hour, she collided with a wall near the end of the race — the result was devastating: a concussion, a broken nose, a lost tooth, and deep facial wounds requiring stitches.

Greco later opened up about the accident, saying, "I've had a lot of successes in my cycling career, but this was mentally and physically a really big barrier to get through. I learnt a lot about myself."

Her coach, AusCycling's David Betts, recalled the terrifying moment he arrived at the crash site. "Paige was on a stretcher, she had a neck brace on, there was a lot of blood around. Her front tooth was knocked out and there was a lot of facial trauma. It was all quite confronting," he revealed.

"She was scared and I was just trying to be positive and tell her she was in good hands and we'd get her to the hospital. I couldn't say 'You'll be alright' because I didn't really know, to be honest," recalled Betts.

Rebuilding from the Wreckage: 'She's a Fighter'

The crash left her shaken — emotionally and physically. "I was wondering what would happen when I got back on the bike," she recounted. "Would I have flashbacks? Am I going to freak out? For a while I didn't know if I wanted to continue cycling. I was thinking about whether I should walk away from the sport and do something else."

Her focus turned to recovery. Supported by her medical team, her family, and the Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS), Greco began to rebuild. Betts worked closely with QAS to create a tailored recovery plan.

"We worked really hard with the team doing skills sessions on the road, to the point where Paige crashed, which was good for her to do in a safe environment," he explained. "There was a point where I had to bite the bullet and throw Paige in the deep end. So in October 2023 we went to Worlds in Glasgow to throw her back into that environment."

At the 2023 World Championships in Glasgow, Greco secured two bronze medals — a staggering achievement, considering the pain she had endured. "She could have said 'No, it's too hard, I'm not doing this,'" Betts recalled. "But she's a fighter and she wants to go."

Surrounded by Support, Powered by Purpose

Greco always emphasized the importance of her support team. "It takes so much more than just me on the bike. And I think I've always been aware of that. And it does take such a great team around you. I have a really great support team with QAS, but then it's also outside. You have a lot of people with you all the way."

Her work with QAS Movement Scientist Courtney Porter was also vital to her comeback. "In the time trial course, we're helping Paige look for the technical and tactical opportunities for her to apply strategy in her race," Porter shared.

Even after the crash, her competitive fire never dimmed. "That feeling when I crossed the line… I love to win. I love when I race to always strive to get on that podium," Greco once said.

She never forgot the predictions that shaped her drive, noting, "When I was younger the doctors did say to my parents that I might not be able to run and I'd have trouble doing exercise. I think I've always had that drive driving me that [says] 'Yeah, OK, I do have cerebral palsy, but I'm still going to compete because that's what I love to do.'"

A Comeback That Wasn't Meant to Be

Greco had been preparing for a high-profile return — aiming to defend her Paralympic title in Paris. As her coach had put it, "She wants to win and that's what keeps driving her. She keeps fighting to try and win."

Now, that comeback will never happen. Her death has sent shockwaves through the para-sport world — a devastating reminder that even the brightest stars can be extinguished without warning.

AusCycling and Paralympics Australia have confirmed they will continue working with the Greco family and wider community to support them and honor her legacy.