Australian Paralympic champion Paige Greco has tragically passed away at the age of 28 following an unexpected medical incident, her family has announced.

Greco’s sudden death occurred on Sunday at her residence in Adelaide.

A trailblazer at the Tokyo Paralympics, Greco clinched the first gold for Australia by triumphing in the women’s C1-C3 3000m individual pursuit cycling event, where she also set a new world record.

“Her kindness, dedication, and warmth profoundly touched our family each and every day,” her family shared in a heartfelt statement.

“She infused our lives with immense joy and pride, and the void left by her passing is a burden we will carry forever.”

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 (pictured), setting a world record in the process

Greco (pictured) is being remembered as ‘an extraordinary athlete, but more importantly, a remarkable person’

“Despite our heartbreak, we hold an overwhelming sense of pride for who she was and how she represented Australia,” they added.

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. 

The 28-year-old won multiple titles at the Paracycling World Championships in addition to also claiming two bronze medals at the Tokyo Paralympics

Greco, who suffered from cerebral palsy, was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for services to sport in 2022

The Paralympic champion (pictured left) bounced back from a horror crash in 2023 that left her with serious facial injuries and made her think about quitting the 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.’

Greco had many successes at the Para-Cycling World Championships, winning gold in two track events in 2019, as well as gold in a road event. 

She followed that up with gold in the women’s individual pursuit at the 2020 track world championships, before collecting bronze medals in 2022 and most recently, bronze at the Road World Championships this August.

Greco – who competed in athletics before switching sports – bounced back after being seriously injured in a horror crash during the Paracycling World Cup in Italy.

‘In the time trial, towards the end of the race, I went into a wall,’ she said of the accident that left her with a broken nose, heavy concussion, a missing tooth and multiple wounds that required stitches.

‘I’ve had a lot of success in my cycling career, but this was mentally and physically a really big barrier to get through.

‘I learned a lot about myself.

‘I was wondering what would happen when I got back on the bike. Would I have flashbacks? Am I going to freak out?

‘For a while I didn’t know if I wanted to continue cycling.’

The right hemiplegic cerebral palsy Greco was born with initially led doctors to make a painful prediction that she defied.

‘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,’ she explained.

‘I think I’ve always had that drive driving me that says, “Yeah, OK, I do have cerebral palsy but I’m going to compete because that’s what I love to do.’