6 days ago
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Australian Paralympic gold medallist Paige Greco has died after 'experiencing a sudden medical episode' aged 28, her family have revealed.
Greco passed away on Sunday at her home in Adelaide.
She won Australia's first gold medal at the Tokyo Paralympics, riding to victory in the women's C1-C3 3000m individual pursuit cycling race, in which she set a world record.
'Paige meant everything to us,' Greco's mother Natalie said in a statement.
'Her kindness, her dedication 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'll 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, setting a world record in the process
Greco (pictured) is being remembered as 'an extraordinary athlete, but more importantly, a remarkable person'
'While we are devastated by her loss, we are incredibly proud of the person she was and how she represented Australia.'
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
'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.
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