Former Olympic Swimmer Helen Smart Dead At 43

Transcript

00:00 Helen Smart, a former Olympic swimmer for Great Britain, has died.

00:04 The school she worked at has confirmed.

00:06 She was 43.

00:08 Alison Halliwell, who is the chair of governors for Worsley-Mesnes Community Primary School

00:13 in Wigan, England, posted a statement to their Facebook page on August 13th addressing Helen's

00:19 passing, which read in part, "It is with great sadness and regret that I have to announce

00:24 the sudden death of our beloved head teacher, Mrs. Helen Smart.

00:28 Our heartfelt condolences are sent to Helen's family at this very difficult time.

00:32 I know this news will be a shock and cause great sadness to our community.

00:37 I want to reassure you that the governors of Worsley-Mesnes School are working with

00:41 the local authority and school to ensure that our children, staff and parents will receive

00:47 the necessary support in the coming weeks.

00:50 Further information and updates will be issued as and when they are available."

00:54 The former Olympian's husband, Craig Smart, commented on the post to reflect on Helen's

00:59 life and her devotion to the school community, penning, "Thank you for your kind words.

01:04 She loved the school, staff, children and parents so much.

01:08 She was so proud to reach her goal of being head teacher.

01:12 She used to say to me all the time she could never see herself at another school.

01:16 She was Worsley-Mesnes through and through.

01:18 I remember only last week she said her goal was to get the school to outstanding and that

01:23 she had the right staff to achieve this.

01:25 I hope you all keep learning like champions.

01:28 Please learn from this and live your best life.

01:30 No regrets.

01:32 Take lots of photos.

01:33 Make memories and keep smiling just like Helen always did.

01:37 Love to you all."

01:38 A cause of death was not immediately made to the public.

01:43 Prior to her career as a teacher, Helen Spam was part of Team Great Britain in the late

01:47 1990s, winning a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games in 1998 before taking home silver medal

01:53 at the World and European Championships.

01:57 She then came in 15th place during the 200m backstroke event at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney,

02:03 Australia.

02:05 [Music]