Former Olympic swimmer Helen Smart, who represented Great Britain at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, has died at age 43.
The professional swimmer also won bronze at the Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games in 1998 and worked as a school principal at the time of her death.
No cause of death is known at this time, however, Smart’s loved ones have described it as “sudden.”
Smart, then known by her maiden name Don-Duncan, made a name for herself in the swimming world after becoming the British backstroke champion in the late 1990s.
At 19 years old, she competed in the women’s 50-meter backstroke and 200-meter backstroke at the Summer Games in 2000.
After retiring in the early 2000s, Smart became a principal at Worsley Mesnes Community Primary School in Wigan, England.
Her grieving husband, Craig Smart, took to the school’s Facebook page to pay tribute to his beloved wife.
“She loved the school, staff, children and parents so much,” Craig Smart said. “She was so proud to reach her goal of being Head Teacher. She used to say to me all the time she could never see herself at another school. She was Worsley Mesnes through and through! I remember only last week she said her goal was to get the school to outstanding and that she had the right staff to achieve this!”
“I hope you all keep learning like champions. Please learn from this and live your best life, no regrets, take lots of photos, make memories and keep smiling just like Helen always did!”
Helen’s father, John Don-Duncan, also paid tribute to his daughter on Facebook alongside a photo of him, his partner Linda, and Helen.
He wrote, “Helen was our pride and joy… we are so proud of her… she lit up a room as soon as she arrived.. Linda and I can’t comprehend how she could just simply go to sleep and not wake up?! xx”
Elsewhere, Olympic medalist Sharron Davies wrote, “This is very sad news. Always a pleasure to interview & always a huge smile on her face. A Fierce competitor.”
And the school’s chair of governors, Alison Halliwell, wrote on Facebook, “It is with great sadness and regret that I have to announce the sudden death of our beloved headteacher, Mrs Helen Smart.”
“Our heart-felt condolences are sent to Helen’s family at this very difficult time. I know this news will be a shock and cause great sadness to our community,” the statement continued.
“I want to reassure you that the governors of Worsley Mesnes School are working with the local authority and school to ensure that our children, staff and parents will receive the necessary support in the coming weeks.”
“Further information/updates will be issued as and when they are available,” Halliwell added.
