Helen Smart was a former British Olympic swimmer who competed in the 2000 Sydney Games and won several medals in international events. She was also a headteacher of a primary school in Wigan, England. She died suddenly at the age of 43 in August 2023, leaving behind her husband and two children. Here are some facts about her life, career, and death.
Early Life & Education
Helen Smart was born Helen Don-Duncan on June 9, 1980, in Wigan, Manchester, England, United Kingdom. She was the daughter of John Don-Duncan and Linda Don-Duncan. She had a brother named James Don-Duncan. She attended St John Fisher Catholic High School in Wigan and later studied at Loughborough University, where she graduated with a degree in sports science.
Swimming Career
Helen Smart started swimming at the age of seven and joined the Wigan Wasps Swimming Club. She soon became a backstroke specialist and won several national titles and records. She represented Great Britain at the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000, where she competed in the women’s 200-meter backstroke and finished 15th. She also qualified for the 50-meter backstroke but did not advance to the semifinals.
Helen Smart also won a bronze medal in the 200-meter backstroke at the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. She also participated in the 1998 World Championships in Perth, Australia, and the 1999 European Championships in Istanbul, Turkey.
Helen Smart won two silver medals at the World Short Course Championships in Hong Kong in 1999 and the European Short Course Championships in Sheffield in 1998. She has also crowned the European Junior champion in the 200-meter backstroke in 1996. She retired from competitive swimming after the Sydney Olympics and pursued a career in teaching. She said that she wanted to give something back to the sport that gave her so much.
Teaching Career
Helen Smart became a teacher at Worsley Mesnes Community Primary School in Wigan in 2002 and later became the headteacher in 2017. She was described as an inspirational leader who loved her job and cared for her students and staff.
Helen Smart was also an avid traveler who liked to explore new places and cultures. She visited countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Mauritius, South Africa, Morocco, Egypt, Turkey, Greece, Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, Croatia, Slovenia, Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland, Canada, USA, Mexico, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Barbados, St Lucia, Antigua, and Barbuda.
Husband & Kids
Her husband was Craig Smart, a former rugby player who married Helen in 2014. He was a supportive and loving partner who stood by her side throughout her swimming and teaching career. He posted a heartfelt tribute to his wife on the school’s Facebook page, saying that she loved the school, staff, children, and parents so much. He also urged everyone to learn from her and live their best life, with no regrets, lots of photos, memories, and smiles.
Helen Smart’s children were Stanley and Heidi, who were four and six years old respectively at the time of her death. They were adorable and precious kids who enjoyed spending time with their mothers. Helen was a devoted mother who nurtured and cherished her children. She shared many photos and videos of them on her social media accounts.
Parents & Siblings
- Her father was John Don-Duncan, a former engineer who worked for British Aerospace. He died in 2018 after a long battle with cancer. He was 68 years old.
- Her mother is Linda Don-Duncan, a retired nurse who lives in Wigan. She is 67 years old and has been devastated by the loss of her daughter. She said that Helen was her “best friend” and “a wonderful person”.
- Her brother is James Don-Duncan, a software developer who lives in London. He is 41 years old and has a wife and two children. He said that Helen was his “big sister” and “a role model”. He also said that he was proud of her achievements as a swimmer and a teacher.
Helen Smart was very close to her family and often visited them or invited them to her home. She also celebrated holidays and special occasions with them. She shared many photos and videos of her family on her social media accounts, such as Instagram and Facebook. She loved her parents and siblings very much and always thanked them for their support and encouragement.
Death & Tributes
Helen Smart died suddenly on August 12 or 13 (the exact date is not confirmed), 2023 at the age of 43. The cause of her death is still not known. However, her loved ones have described it as “sudden.” According to fresh reports by Daily Mail Online, Smart was first spotted dead by her four-year-old daughter who alerted her husband.
Her former swimming colleagues also paid tribute to her on Twitter and other platforms. They praised her as a fierce competitor, a gracious friend, and a vibrant character who always had a smile on her face. Her school community also mourned her loss and offered their condolences to her family. They said that she was a beloved headteacher who made a positive impact on many lives.
British Swimming issued a statement to extend their sympathy and support to her family and friends. They said that she was a talented swimmer who represented her country with pride and passion.
Helen Smart Swimmer Wiki/BIO
| Name | Helen Smart |
| Real Name | Helen Don-Duncan |
| Date of Birth | June 9th ,1980 |
| Place of Birth | Wigan, Manchester, England, United Kingdom |
| Date of Death | August 12 or 13, 2023 |
| Place of Death | Not Known |
| Cause of Death | Not Known |
| Age at Death | 43 years old |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Swimmer Teacher, Headteacher |
| Spouse | Craig Smart |
| Children | Stanley and Heidi |
| Parents | John Don-Duncan and Linda Don-Duncan |
| Siblings | James Don-Duncan |
| Education | St John Fisher Catholic High School, Loughborough University |
| helswim | |
| hdonduncan | |
| Homepage | Dreshare.com |
Facts About Helen Smart
- Helen Smart was a former British Olympic swimmer who competed in the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games in the 200m backstroke event.
- Helen also won a bronze medal in the same event at the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur.
- Helen Smart set a British record time for the 200m backstroke to qualify for the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000.
- Helen was also a head teacher at Worsley Mesnes Community Primary School in Wigan, England.
- She died suddenly at the age of 43 in August 2023.
- The cause of her death is not known yet.
- Helen was born Helen Don-Duncan on 12 January 1980 in Wigan, Manchester, England, United Kingdom.
- Smart was the daughter of John and Linda Don-Duncan.
- She started swimming at a young age and joined the Wigan Swimming Club.
- She attended St John Fisher Catholic High School and later studied at the University of Bath.
- Helen became the European Junior champion in the 200m backstroke in 1996.
- Helen also won silver medals at the World Short Course Championships of 1999 and the European Short Course Championships of 1998.
 Wiki, Age, Husband, Daughter, Parents, Height, Death & BIO){kind=link}
 Wiki, Age, Husband, Daughter, Parents, Height, Death & BIO){kind=link}
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