Helen Smart, the former Olympic swimmer and head teacher of Worsley Mesnes Community Primary School in Wigan, has died suddenly at the age of 43, know her cause of death and obituary
Helen, a decorated backstroke specialist, represented Team GB at the 2000 Sydney Olympics under her maiden name, Helen Don-Duncan.
Olympic swimmer Helen Smart cause of death, obituary, bio, age, husband, swimming stats
Who was Helen Smart? A life of dedication and achievement
Over the course of her swimming career, she earned a bronze medal at the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur, and silver at both the World and European Championships.
Helen Smart, a swimmer for the Great Britain team at the 2000 Sydney Olympics has died “suddenly” at age 43 but no cause of death was given.
Smart swam for Team GB at the 2000 Sydney Olympics under her maiden name Helen Don-Duncan and Helen also won a number of other medals as a swimmer before going on to become head of Worsley Mesnes Community Primary School in Wigan, according to The Sun.
Such a sad world we live in at times – Olympian Helen Smart’s sudden death aged 43. Her husbands words say it is ‘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!' pic.twitter.com/8LcxMDY5Kg
— Mark Williams-Thomas (@mwilliamsthomas) August 16, 2023
Following the Sydney Olympics, Helen decided to retire from competitive swimming and turn her attention to education. She became the head of Worsley Mesnes Community Primary School in Wigan.
Halliwell send condolences for Helen Smart
Alison Halliwell, the school’s chair of governors, shared her condolences, saying, “It is with great sadness and regret that I have to announce the sudden death of our beloved headteacher, Mrs. Helen Smart.”
He continued “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. I want to reassure you that the governors of Worsley Mesnes School are working.”
A lasting impact by Helen Smart
Helen’s husband, Craig Smart, reflected on his late wife’s dedication to the school, saying, “She loved the school, staff, children and parents so much. She was so proud to reach her goal of being headteacher. Helen Smart used to say to me all the time she could never see herself at another school. She was Worsley Mesnes through and through!”
Craig Smart also shared Helen’s ambition for the school, “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! Love to you all!”
Tributes from the swimming world
Katy Sexton, a fellow Team GB swimmer who made her Olympic debut with Helen, added, “I’ve been trying to find the words to say about this but am so shocked by the news, I don’t know what to say. Helen was such a vibrant character, always happy and a great friend and roommate. She was such a dedicated athlete and had an amazing work ethic which she carried into her life outside of sport.”
Helen’s passing is a tragic loss to both the swimming and educational communities, and she will be remembered for her dedication and impact on others.
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