#para-cycling

[bikedweeb]

(via UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships - Day Two | Flickr)

[mothersnsisters]

Australian Paralympic Gold Medallist Dies at 28

Australian Paralympic Gold Medallist Dies at 28

The Australian sporting community is mourning the devastating loss of Paige Greco, a Paralympic cycling champion whose inspirational journey touched hearts worldwide. The para-cyclist died in her Adelaide home on Sunday after experiencing a "sudden medical episode" SBS. At just 28 years old, Greco leaves behind an extraordinary legacy that transcends medals and records—a story of determination, resilience, and breaking barriers that doctors once thought impossible. Here's everything you need to know about this remarkable athlete, her achievements, and the profound impact she made on the Paralympic movement.

#Paige Greco

A Champion's Sudden Passing Shocks the Nation

Greco, who had cerebral palsy, passed away after what authorities said was a "sudden medical episode" at her Adelaide home on Sunday AAP News. The news sent shockwaves through Australia's sporting community, with tributes pouring in from athletes, officials, and fans worldwide.

Family's Heartbreaking Statement

"Paige meant everything to us. Her kindness, her determination and her warmth touched our family every single day," Paige's mother, Natalie Greco, said in a statement released by AusCycling SBS. The family's raw emotion captured what so many felt—a profound sense of loss for someone who inspired millions.

Key details about her passing:

- Paige Greco (19 February 1997 – 16 November 2025) Wikipedia - Died at her Adelaide home on Sunday, November 16, 2025 - The family expressed being "devastated by her loss" while remaining "incredibly proud of the person she was and the way she represented Australia" SBS - The family asked for "privacy, time and space to navigate this overwhelming loss" The New Daily

Retired Olympic gold-medal-winning track cyclist Anna Meares is among fellow athletes paying tribute to Greco, posting on social media that she was "in utter shock" The New Daily, reflecting the widespread grief felt across Australia's sporting community.

From Impossible Odds to Paralympic Glory

Understanding Paige Greco's remarkable achievements requires appreciating the obstacles she overcame from childhood.

Defying Medical Expectations

Greco lived with right hemiplegic cerebral palsy and competed in the C-3 category – for athletes with moderate limb impairments including amputations who can use a standard bicycle NZ Herald. Her cerebral palsy mainly affected the right side of her body Wikipedia, but she refused to let this define her limits.

"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 'Yeah, OK, I do have cerebral palsy, but I'm still going to compete because that's what I love to do'" NZ Herald, Greco shared, revealing the inner fire that propelled her to greatness.

Tokyo 2020: A Historic Breakthrough

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 AAP News. This wasn't just another victory—it was a moment that defined Australian Paralympic history.

Greco's Tokyo 2020 Paralympic achievements:

- Won gold in the Women's 3000m Individual Pursuit C1-3, setting a world record time of 3:50.815 Wikipedia - Won bronze medals in the Women's Road Trial C1-3 with a time of 26:37:54 Wikipedia - Won bronze in the Women's Road Race C1-3 with a time of 1:13.11 Wikipedia - Broke the world record in the Women's C1–3 3000m individual pursuit SBS - Smashed her own world record in storming to victory France 24

She followed that breakthrough performance with two bronzes in the road race and time trial, confirming her standing as one of Australia's rising athletes The Indian Sun.

The Journey From Athletics to Cycling Stardom

Paige Greco's path to Paralympic glory wasn't linear—it was marked by transitions, discoveries, and relentless pursuit of excellence.

Early Sporting Beginnings

Paige, who had cerebral palsy affecting the right side of her body, started her sporting career in Para-athletics Paralympic. However, Greco initially trained as a runner but shifted to para-cycling in 2017 The Indian Sun, a decision that would transform her life.

Greco started out as a track-and-field athlete before turning to cycling in 2018 Yahoo Sports, bringing the determination and discipline from her athletics background to her new discipline.

Rapid Rise to World Champion Status

In 2018, Greco moved from Victoria to South Australian Sports Institute to be coached by Loz Shaw Wikipedia, marking the beginning of her meteoric rise in para-cycling.

Career milestones:

- At the 2019 UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships in Apeldoorn, Netherlands, she won gold medals in the Women's 3 km Pursuit C3 and C3 500m Time Trial Wikipedia - By 2019, she was competing at the UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships in Apeldoorn, delivering three world records in two days The Indian Sun - In qualifying for Women's 3 km Pursuit final, Greco's time of 4mins 0.206secs broke the existing world record by three seconds Wikipedia - At the 2020 UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships in Milton, Ontario, she won the gold medal in the Women's Individual Pursuit C3 Wikipedia

Greco claimed multiple World Championship titles and World Cup medals across her career, including a 2025 World Championship bronze in the Road Race SBS.

More Than Medals: The Person Behind the Champion

While Greco's athletic achievements were extraordinary, those who knew her emphasize that her character made an even greater impact.

A Spirit That Inspired Generations

Paralympics Australia chief executive officer Cameron Murray said Greco's death was devastating, describing her as among the brightest para-sport stars in the nation Oberon Review.

"Paige was an extraordinary athlete but more importantly, a remarkable person. 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" Oberon Review, Murray stated.

Recognition and Honors

Greco completed an Exercise Science Degree at the University of South Australia Wikipedia, demonstrating her commitment to understanding athletic performance from both practical and theoretical perspectives.

Awards and recognition:

- 2019 – Cycling Australia Para Female Track Cyclist of the Year Wikipedia - 2021 – South Australian Sports Institute Para Athlete of the Year Wikipedia - 2022 – Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to sport as a gold medallist at the Tokyo Paralympic Games 2020 Wikipedia

AusCycling said that beyond her athletic achievements, Greco would be remembered for her "humility, generosity, and the genuine joy she brought to every team environment" The New Daily.

Overcoming Adversity: A Warrior's Resilience

Greco's career wasn't without significant challenges that tested her resolve and mental fortitude.

The 2023 Crash That Nearly Ended Everything

Greco suffered a heavy crash at the 2023 Para-cycling World Cup, crashing at 45km/h, sustaining a broken nose and concussion among her injuries NZ Herald. This incident could have ended her career, but instead became another testament to her resilience.

"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" NZ Herald, she shared.

Continued Determination Despite Setbacks

In 2025, Greco sustained serious injuries in a crash while competing at a Road World Cup event in Maniago, Italy Wikipedia, yet she continued competing at the highest level.

Greco missed selection for 2024 Paris Paralympics Wikipedia, a disappointment that could have derailed many athletes. However, "The Paralympics is the top goal. Just being there in Paris, that's what really drives me" NZ Herald, she had said, showing her unwavering commitment to returning to Paralympic competition.

#Paige Greco

Actionable Lessons From Paige Greco's Life

Greco's journey offers powerful lessons for athletes, people with disabilities, and anyone facing seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

Key Takeaways for Aspiring Athletes

Never accept limitations others place on you:

- Doctors had initially told her parents she might struggle with physical activity, but Greco defied expectations, driven by a deep love for competition Mix 1049 - Challenge medical prognoses with determination and proper training - Seek coaches and support systems that believe in your potential - Use skepticism from others as motivation, not discouragement - Greco successfully transitioned from athletics to cycling, finding her true calling - Don't be afraid to pivot when one path isn't working - Recognize that skills from one discipline transfer to others - Stay open to discovering where you truly excel - AusCycling CEO Marne Fechner said: "Paige was an extraordinary athlete who achieved outstanding accomplishments at the highest levels of our sport. Much more than that, she touched the lives of everyone around her with her positive spirit and courageous outlook" SBS - Build relationships with teammates and competitors - Let kindness and humility define your legacy as much as victories - Use your platform to inspire and uplift others - Greco's visibility showed what's possible for people with cerebral palsy - Her achievements challenged stereotypes about disability - She demonstrated that Paralympic athletes compete at world-class levels - Her story empowers families navigating similar diagnoses - Greco didn't just speak about inclusion—she lived it - Her success opened doors for future para-athletes - She proved that with proper support, athletes with disabilities can excel - Her Medal of the Order of Australia recognized her broader impact

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The Outpouring of Grief and Tributes

The Paralympic and wider sporting communities have united in mourning Greco's loss.

Official Responses

"We are heartbroken by the tragic news of Paige's death," said Marne Fechner, CEO of AusCycling. "Paige was an extraordinary athlete who achieved outstanding accomplishments at the highest levels of our sport. Much more than that, she touched the lives of everyone around her with her positive spirit and courageous outlook" The New Daily.

Cameron Murray, Chief Executive Officer of Paralympics Australia, said the loss of one of the brightest young stars of the Australian Paralympic Movement was devastating NZ Herald.

A Legacy That Transcends Sport

"As a family, we are deeply grateful for the support shown by so many people connected to Paige, including her teammates and friends" SBS, the Greco family statement continued, acknowledging the widespread impact of their daughter's life.

What made Greco's impact unique:

- She inspired without making her disability the centerpiece of her narrative - Her warmth and approachability made her relatable despite elite achievements - She balanced competitive drive with genuine care for others - Her story reached beyond cycling to inspire people facing all types of challenges

Understanding Cerebral Palsy and Para-Cycling

For those unfamiliar with Paralympic classification and cerebral palsy, Greco's achievements require context.

What Is Cerebral Palsy?

Greco lived with right hemiplegic cerebral palsy NZ Herald, a condition affecting movement and muscle tone.

[britishcyclesport]

Millie Cass gets call to ride the World Track Championships

Four weeks ago, C3 para-cyclist Millie Cass was planning to watch the World Track Championships on the TV. But after getting a sudden call up to Team GB, she’s now lining up on the boards of the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome on a brand new Handsling TR3evo track bike.  She speaks to British Cycle Sport about the breakthrough event of a lifetime.  What’s your background in track cycling? I got into…

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[tibsnews]

Para-cycling sensationally left out of Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games due to administrative error

Para-cycling sensationally left out of Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games due to administrative error by @DanBrowner96 #UCI

Para-cycling has been left out of the initial sports short-listed for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, due to the sport’s governing body not submitting its paperwork in time.

Cycling’s governing body, the UCI, failed to submit its application to the organisers by the July 28th deadline, in fact submitting it at the start of October by mistake.

Despite its huge success at the London 2012 Games, the…

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[cyclocosm]

Para-cyclists are badass. 

(via thechadandrews' Instagram)

[womenscycling]

There’s no doubting Australian Cycling is on an upward surge. This year’s Road Nationals are a case in point: record crowds, good tv ratings, significant social media activation and loaded fields. But Cycling Australia must not rest on their laurels; as one of the premier Olympic sports and the second highest Australian Sports Commission funded NSO (after swimming)[1] Cycling Australia needs to embrace the whole of their mantra. As the NSO they are responsible for the whole of the sport, not just the Elite Men that seemingly are their focus.

Thomas on sport: Some thoughts on the Cycling Australia Road Nationals

Really good points by Thomas on Australian cycling - with ideas of how Cycling Australia can support the elite women and the paracyclists as well as they do the elite road men

[womenscycling]

"U.S. Paralympics Cycling is happy to report that the C1 Track Cycling Event in L.A. has been CONFIRMED for Feb 15-16 2014." Great news!!— Colin Lynch (@TTworldchamp) December 30, 2013

Twitter / Colin Lynch

Yay!

[womenscycling]

The UCI announces today that the 2014 Para-cycling Track World Championships will be held in Aguascalientes, Mexico. The competition will take place from April 10 to 13 at the Bicentenary Velodrome.

Union Cycliste Internationale

3 months notice isn't a great deal of time for riders to get prepared, but thanks goodness the UCI are actually having a Track World Champs in the 2013/14 season. 

In that press release, Brian Cookson says:

“With UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships already awarded to Greenville (USA, 28.08-01.09.2014), I am delighted to say that we have now a full, robust and exciting calendar for Para-cycling in 2014. We had several organisers interested in hosting the 2014 Para-cycling Track World Championships and I would like to thank them all."

I hope this means that there'll be some Paracycling Track World Cups in the pipeline, because this World Champs will be the first UCI-level track para-cycling event to have taken place in 2 years, the last one being the World Champs in Spring 2012.  I am really angry that track paracyclists have to wait two years between events - they really deserve a hell of a lot more.