Team GB Olympian dies 'suddenly' aged 43 as devastated husband pays emotional tribute
ok.co.ukA former Team GB swimmer has “suddenly” died at the age of 43. Helen Smart, then known as Helen Don-Duncan, secured a bronze medal in the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur, and scooped silver medals at the World and European Championships.The athlete was a backstroke specialist but retired from the world of competitive swimming to become a headteacher.
After representing Great Britain at the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000, she went on to become a respected and “beloved” headteacher at Worsley Mesnes Community Primary School on Clifton Street in Wigan, as reported by Daily Mail.
The tragic news of her death was confirmed in an emotive post on Facebook. Alison Halliwell, the school's chair of governors, penned: “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. “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.
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