The sports and education community in the UK is mourning the tragic loss of Helen Smart, a celebrated former Olympic swimmer who represented Great Britain in the 2000 Sydney Games.
Helen, 42, was discovered unresponsive by her four-year-old daughter, Heidi, in their cottage off the banks of Lake Coniston in Northwest England, as reported by the Daily Mail.
The horrifying discovery took place in the early hours of Saturday when young Heidi went to her mother, who lay lifeless in her bed.
"Mommy won’t wake up," the little girl told her father, as recounted by Helen's mother, Linda, to the Daily Mail. The family was soon met with the unfathomable reality.
Linda said, "I touched her foot and she was cold. She looked asleep but you could tell she was gone."
The grieving mom said: "At midnight, she went to bed telling me: 'I'll go to bed now mum as I know I'll be woken at 6AM by Heidi. I just want to get some sleep in as I've had a long day.'
Linda added: "Robert woke us up at 4AM and said: 'Mum, dad you need to keep up - we think Helen's died. We just ran up and followed up and there she was in bed. I touched her foot and she was cold. I walked round and to the side of her and she looked asleep but you could tell she was gone.
"I just said: ''Why couldn't it have been me.'' I would have happily swapped places with her. That's not the way round it should have been. I just thought, no no."
Helen, who once made waves as the British backstroke champion under her maiden name Don-Duncan, secured her legacy in the late 1990s. Fans and fellow athletes watched with bated breath as she competed fiercely in the 2000 Olympics, finishing a commendable 15th in the 200-meter backstroke.
After the Sydney Olympics, Helen transitioned gracefully from her competitive swimming days and embarked on a career in education. She left an indelible mark on Worsley Mesnes Community Primary School in Wigan, England, where she served as headteacher.
Her commitment to the school and its growth was evident. As her husband, Craig Smart, fondly remembered on Facebook, "She loved the school, staff, children, and parents so much."
He shared how Helen often spoke about her dedication to the school, saying she was "Worsley Mesnes through and through!" and her dream was to uplift the school to outstanding levels.
The cause of Helen's sudden death remains undisclosed, leaving her family grappling for answers and enveloped in sorrow. "We are just in so much shock. You jump from believing it to not believing it…We're distraught," Linda shared, echoing the sentiments of countless others who loved and admired Helen.
Helen's legacy spans beyond the pools of Olympic venues; her contributions to education and the palpable impact she had on the lives of her students stand testament to the remarkable individual she was.
As tributes pour in from across the country, it's evident that Helen's spirit and achievements will continue to inspire generations. Her prowess in swimming, commitment to education, and enduring love for her family will never be forgotten.
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