Australian cycling royalty Anna Meares is among the many who’ve paid heartfelt tributes on social media to Paige Greco after the Paralympic champion’s tragic death at 28 years old.
The Australian cycling and para-sport communities are mourning the death of Greco after a sudden medical episode in her Adelaide home at the weekend.
Greco won gold on the velodrome at the Tokyo Paralympics in 2021 and competed on the world stage as recently as last month, at the para-cycling track world championships in Rio de Janeiro.
READ MORE: Whitney’s Ashes selection shake-up after major Aussie setbacks
READ MORE: Eels to cash in on Lomax exit as Ryles reboot takes fresh twist
READ MORE: ‘We are devastated’: Champion Aussie cyclist dead at 28
Paige Greco celebrates winning Paralympic gold in Tokyo. Getty
Meares, Australia’s chef de mission for the Paris 2024 and Los Angeles 2028 Olympics and a two-time Olympic gold medallist, started a post on social media with the words: “Can’t believe I’m writing this.”
“RIP Paige Greco,” Meares wrote.
“Thank you for all you stood for, achieved and how you did it while you were here.
“Your loss is felt hard. You made your impact.
“Love to your family, friends and those in the cycling, Paracycling, Paralympic and sport communities. So sorry we’ve lost you.”
Jaryd Clifford, the star Paralympic distance runner, said Greco was “one of the nicest people” he’d met.
“From our first AIS camp in 2012 to the Paralympic Games, Paige was as tough as they come with one of the best smiles in sport,” Clifford wrote.
“Rest easy Paige.”
Paige Greco beams with pride after claiming Paralympic gold. Getty
Paralympic cyclist Alistair Donohoe wrote: “A true blessing to have known and a joy to be around. One of the kindest souls to have ever lived and to be forever missed.”
Erin Rowell, who was in Rio de Janeiro for the world championships with Greco last month, said the Australian team would “never be the same”.
“There’s a space here that can’t be filled, a quiet reminder of the kind, genuine soul you were,” Rowell wrote.
“It was an honour to ride alongside you and to share this journey as teammates.
“You brought warmth, calm, and a goodness that lifted everyone around you.”
Tara Neyland was also a teammate of Greco’s in Brazil.
“You were the warmest, kindest, most compassionate, selfless and brightest soul,” Neyland wrote.
Emily Petricola (left) and Paige Greco — two of Australia’s gold medallists at the Tokyo Paralympics. Getty
“Thank you for being the best roomie and an even better friend.
“My heart is broken. You will be sorely missed.”
One horrific event in Italy in 2023 and the comeback that followed were proof that Greco was indeed “as tough as they come”, to quote Clifford.
At a road cycling World Cup event in Maniago, about 100 kilometres north of Venice, Greco was only 500 metres from the finish line when she crashed into a wall at 45 kilometres per hour.
She was soon on a stretcher and in a neck brace, her front tooth had been knocked out, and the facial trauma was severe.
She had also broken her nose and been heavily concussed, and would need countless stitches to patch up multiple wounds.
The physical scars were extreme and the psychological scars, too.
But once Greco was able to, she got back on her bike and continued chasing her sporting dreams.
“I’ve got some battle scars, but I love cycling and I love training,” Greco said in 2023, per the Paralympics Australia website.
“Going overseas and competing has always been a real passion of mine.
“It’s what drives me, it’s what makes me happy.”