Cornell swimming and diving’s team has announced that Ivy League Champion Taito “Paige” daCosta is back in the water following a motorcycle accident that left him with severe head trauma and 18 broken or fractured bones.
On February 17, daCosta was riding his motorcycle when he was involved in a serious crash, which was determined to be of no fault of his own according to police reports. As a result of the crash, daCosta suffered a life-threatening head injury, requiring emergency brain surgery and he had to be put into a 3 week medically induced coma. In the accident, daCosta also broke or fractured a total of 18 different bones, requiring additional surgeries on his femur, clavicle, and hands.
After spending several weeks in the hospital, daCosta is now at home recovering from his injuries. According to the press release from Cornell swimming and diving, daCosta’s recovery is going well, and he is expected to resume classes at the university in the fall. In addition, daCosta is now back in the water swimming again, and intends to resume competing eventually.
DaCosta, originally from Livermore, California, was the 2020 Ivy League Champion in the men’s 100 backstroke, where he won in a school record of 46.52. During his freshman campaign, daCosta also finished as the runner-up in the 200 backstroke and 200 IM at the championship. For his efforts, he was awarded the first team All-Ivy League distinction, being the only Cornell swimmer to earn the distinction during the 2019-2020 season.
Cornell athletics has set up a fundraiser to assist daCosta’s family pay his medical bills, as insurance will not cover the total costs he endured.
Hoping for a return to good health! From a former Princeton swimmer.
Back in the pool after breaking 18 bones only 3 months ago? Very impressive. I hope his recovery continues to go well.
HE’LL BE BACK BETTER THAN EVER!!! Praying for his fast recovery. Can’t wait to see what he will achieve once he’s racing again.