Heartbroken parents pay tribute to Olympic swimmer who died in her sleep aged 42

16 August 2023 , 09:44

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Tributes have been paid to Olympian Helen Smart (Image: Worsley Mesnes Community Primary School/MEN MEDIA)

Helen Smart's parents "can't comprehend" how the former Olympian died in her sleep aged 42.

Smart, then known as Helen Don-Duncan, reached the semi-finals in the 200m backstroke in Sydney. She went into education after retiring from the sport and was working as a head teacher at Worsley Mesnes Community Primary School.

"Helen was our pride and joy...we are so proud of her...she lit up a room as soon as she arrived," her father John Don-Duncan wrote on Facebook. "Linda and I can't comprehend how she could just simply go to sleep and not wake up?!" Smart won a number of British titles as a teenager and also represented England in the backstroke at the 1998 Commonwealth Games. She took the bronze medal in Kuala Lumpur, with compatriot Katy Sexton claiming gold.

Further tributes poured in underneath her father's post. "Oh my goodness, what an absolute shock," one response read. "Sending all our love and thoughts"

"Can't imagine how, as family, you must be feeling, John," another comment read. "It's difficult to find words. All our thoughts and Prayers are with you, Linda and all the family at this sad, sad time."

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British Swimming has also shared a number of tributes to the Olympian. Former teammates Sarah Ruckwood and Rachael Ashcroft are among those to have shared their memories of Smart.

Helen Smart's father John Don-Duncan paid tribute to his daughter (FACEBOOK/https://www.facebook.com/john.donduncan/posts/10161211252558899:304646588809555?__cft__[0]=)

"I remember Helen most though as someone who would always brighten a room when she walked in it and her infectious laugh would bring a smile to everyone," Ruckwood said. "It is no surprise that she went on from swimming to become a primary school headteacher working with and inspiring all around her.

"I am so sorry that life after swimming meant we did not manage to see each other over the years due to distance and other life pressures. [She] did always and will always have a very special place in my heart, as the most amazing person."

Helen Smart, then known as Helen Don-Duncan, competed for team GB at the 2000 Olympics (Getty Images)

(FACEBOOK/https://www.facebook.com/john.donduncan)

"Helen's steely determination and natural competitive spirit always inspired me," Ashcroft recalled. "We competed against each other many times but somehow it always felt like we were competing with each other, helping each other along the way. Her achievements of numerous British records, British titles, European, Commonwealth, World medals and achieving her Olympic dream came as a result of her discipline, commitment, dedication and belief in herself.

"Despite her success, she was always humble and down to earth and she always helped others who’d had a bad race or didn’t achieve what they wanted to rather than focus on herself. I never heard a bad word uttered by anyone about Helen and how could they? She was always kind, thoughtful and looked after everyone, especially me."

Tom Victor