Paige Greco, the Australian Paralympic cyclist who won Australia’s first gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, has died at age 28 following a sudden medical episode at her home in Adelaide, South Australia. Her passing on sent shockwaves through the global Para-cycling community, cutting short the life of an athlete whose grit redefined what’s possible for athletes with cerebral palsy. Greco, born on 19 February 1997 in Melbourne, Victoria, competed in the C3 classification — for athletes with moderate impairment affecting one side of the body — and became a symbol of resilience, not just in competition, but in how she lived.
A Champion Who Redefined Australian Paralympic History
On , inside the Izu Velodrome in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, Greco shattered the world record in the women’s C3 3000-meter individual pursuit with a time of 3:52.283. That ride didn’t just win gold — it gave Australia its first-ever Paralympic cycling title in that event. The moment was electric. Teammates wept in the stands. Broadcasters paused. For a country still catching up in Paralympic visibility, Greco became the face of quiet dominance.She wasn’t a one-hit wonder. At the 2019 UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships in Apeldoorn, she took gold again. Then came the 2022 season: bronze in the time trial at the UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships in Baie-Comeau, followed by another bronze at the 2022 UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines. She was relentless.
The Weight of the Medal and the Will to Keep Going
In January 2022, Greco was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) — not for fame, but for "service to sport." That same year, she was named South Australian Sports Institute’s Para Athlete of the Year. But behind the trophies was a story of pain. Cerebral palsy affected her right side, making every pedal stroke a battle against asymmetry, fatigue, and biomechanical disadvantage. She didn’t just compete — she engineered her own adaptations, working with coaches at the University of South Australia, where she earned a Bachelor of Exercise Science.Then came the setbacks. In June 2025, during a training crash at the UCI Para-cycling Road World Cup in Maniago, Italy, she suffered serious injuries. Many thought her career was over. But on , at the 2025 UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships in Ronse, Belgium, she stood on the podium again — bronze in the road race. She finished fifth in the time trial just days before. That race? Her last. No one knew then it would be her final ride.
Who Was She Beyond the Podium?
Those who trained with her say she never complained. "She’d show up at 6 a.m. with a smile," recalled Cycling Australia coach Mark Weldon. "Even after a bad night, she’d say, ‘Let’s make today count.’" Her social media was filled with photos of her bike, her dog, and post-race ice baths — never self-pity. She was a graduate of the University of South Australia, where she studied how the body moves under stress — not just to win, but to help others.She missed selection for the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games, a blow she took privately. But she didn’t vanish. She kept racing, kept mentoring younger athletes in Adelaide, kept pushing the boundaries of what C3 athletes could do. Her world record from Tokyo? Still standing. No one has come close since.
The Silence Around Her Death
As of 17 November 2025, no official cause of death has been released by South Australia Police or the State Coroner’s Court. The medical episode occurred at her home — sudden, unexplained. The Australian Paralympic Committee, based in Sydney, confirmed her passing with a brief statement: "Paige was a trailblazer. Her legacy is written in every child who now believes they can ride a bike."Her family has requested privacy. Funeral details remain private. But the tributes are already pouring in. The South Australian Sports Institute plans to honor her during its annual awards night on . Cycling Australia will unveil a permanent memorial at its national training base in Canberra.
What This Means for Para-Cycling
Greco’s death is more than a personal tragedy — it’s a systemic wake-up call. Australia has invested heavily in Paralympic sports, yet athlete support beyond competition remains patchy. Mental health resources, long-term injury care, and post-retirement transition programs are underfunded. Greco’s story — a world champion who studied exercise science to better understand her own body — highlights how few athletes have access to the kind of holistic care she sought for herself.Her record in the 3000m pursuit may be broken one day. But the standard she set — of excellence without fanfare, of courage without complaint — won’t be replicated easily. The C3 classification, governed by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and the International Paralympic Committee, now carries her name in every training manual.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Paige Greco’s classification in Para-cycling, and what does C3 mean?
Paige Greco competed in the C3 classification, designated for athletes with moderate impairment affecting one side of the body or lower limbs — often due to cerebral palsy, stroke, or traumatic injury. C3 riders typically have reduced muscle control or coordination on one side, requiring adaptive equipment but still capable of full pedal power. Greco’s right-side impairment made her a standout in time trials and pursuits, where balance and symmetry are critical.
How did Paige Greco’s achievements compare to other Australian Paralympic cyclists?
Greco was Australia’s first female C3 gold medalist in Paralympic track cycling. Her 2021 world record in the 3000m pursuit remains unmatched. She also won more international medals than any other Australian C3 cyclist in history — including two World Championship bronzes in 2022 and another in 2025. Only a handful of Australian Paralympic cyclists have won medals across both track and road disciplines, making her one of the most versatile in the nation’s history.
Why didn’t she compete in the 2024 Paris Paralympics?
Greco was not selected for the 2024 Australian Paralympic team despite strong performances leading up to the Games. Selection criteria prioritized consistency across multiple events and recent international results. Though she had a strong 2023 season, a combination of injury setbacks and narrowly missed qualifying times in key events led to her omission. She publicly accepted the decision, focusing instead on mentoring and competing in World Cup events.
What impact will her death have on Para-cycling funding and support in Australia?
Her passing has already sparked renewed calls for improved athlete welfare programs. The Australian Paralympic Committee and Cycling Australia are reviewing long-term support structures for athletes beyond peak competition. Advocates are pushing for mandatory mental health access, injury rehabilitation funding, and post-career transition pathways — areas where Greco, despite her success, reportedly struggled to find adequate resources.
