6 days ago
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Paige Greco was told she would never run as an adult, let alone become a world champion athlete before her tragic death this week.
Greco, who had cerebral palsy, passed away after what authorities said was a 'sudden medical episode' at her Adelaide home on Sunday. She was 28.
The champion cyclist won Australia's first gold medal at the Paralympic Games in 2021, when she set a world record in the women's C1–3 3000m individual pursuit.
Greco also collected two bronze medals at the Tokyo Paralympics and multiple world championship titles and world cup medals.
After winning one of her two bronzes in Tokyo, Greco revealed the early prognosis from doctors and how far she had to come to achieve her goal.
'That feeling when I crossed the line… I love to win. I love when I race to always strive to get on that podium,' she said.
Paige Greco had to overcome major medical issues to become a champion cyclist for Australia
As a child, Greco (pictured right with her sister) was told that she might never be able to run as an adult
Greco (right) defied that medical outlook to become a promising track and field athlete before deciding to focus on cycling
'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".
'The Paralympics is the top goal. Just being there in Paris, that's what really drives me.'
Highlighting the sheer courage and determination Greco showed, she had to overcome another huge hurdle just to be present in Paris.
A horror crash at the Para-cycling World Cup in Italy in 2023 left her concussed, bleeding and missing a tooth.
'In the Time Trial, towards the end of the race, I went into a wall,' she recalled, adding the crash made her consider giving up cycling.
'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.
'I was wondering what would happen when I got back on the bike,' she said. 'Would I have flashbacks? Am I going to freak out?
Greco suffered horrific injuries (pictured) at a cycling event in Italy in 2023 that left her concussed and bleeding
The world champion (left) fought back to get back on the bike for the world championships later on that year
'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. We didn't know if Worlds was on the cards. We talked about how my health has to be the most important thing.'
Her coach David Betts said the scene was like something from a horror movie.
'Paige was on a stretcher, she had a neck brace on, there was a lot of blood around,' he said.
'Her front tooth was knocked out and there was a lot of facial trauma. It was all quite confronting.
'Paige 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.'
Betts worked with Greco on her comeback and was stunned at how quickly she was able to get back on the bike.
'There was a point where I had to bite the bullet and throw Paige in the deep end,' he said.
'So in October 2023 we went to Worlds in Glasgow to throw her back into that environment.'
Greco (pictured right) showed incredible courage to defy all of her medical issues until tragedy struck on Sunday
Tributes continue to flow in for the young athlete and Paralympian, who was taken far too early
'To Paige's credit, she wanted to do it and gave it her best shot. She knew it was part of the process to get back to her best. She showed a lot of character and that's who Paige is.'
Tributes continue to flow for the brave 28-year-old following her tragic death.
Paralympics Australia chief executive officer Cameron Murray said Greco's passing was devastating, describing her as among the brightest para-sport stars in the nation.
'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 privilege to watch her compete or to work alongside her.
'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.'
