Helen Smart has died at the age of 42.
Her death was announced by an administrator from the Worsley Mesnes Community Primary School in England.
Smart served as the principal at the institution.
“It is with great sadness and regret that I have to announce the sudden death of our beloved Headteacher, Mrs. Helen Smart,” the admin wrote on social media.
Competing under her maiden name of Don-Duncan, Smart made the British Olympic team at age 19.
British Olympic swimmer Helen Smart has died suddenly at the age of 43.
Friends have revealed a cause of death has not been established and her passing was ‘sudden’ with no apparent pre-existing medical conditions.
She was working as a school principal at the time of her… pic.twitter.com/KJuoNeVRJA
— Oli London (@OliLondonTV) August 16, 2023
According to Bleach Report, she competed in the 200-meter backstroke at the Sydney Olympics, finishing in 15th place.
Aside from competing in the 2000 Olympics, Smart also won a silver medal in the 200-meter backstroke at the 1999 World Championships and won four straight British championships in the event from 1997 to 2000.
Smart retired from competitive swimming after the 2000 Olympics to pursue a career in teaching.
Helen Smart cause of death
Smart’s cause of death is currently unknown.
Her loved ones have described her passing as “sudden”. Her parents said that she “went to sleep and never woke up”.