 A former Team GB backstroke swimmer who won bronze at the Commonwealth Games in 1998 has died at the age of 43. Helen Smart, nee Don-Duncan and nicknamed 'DD' by fellow swimmers, represented Britain at the Sydney Olympic Games in the 200m backstroke. She set a British record time when qualifying for Sydney 2000, her debut Games, and reached 15th place, the BBC reports. Earlier in her career she won silvers at the World Short Course Championships of 1999 and the European Short Course Championships the year before. She was crowned European Junior champion in the 200m backstroke in 1996. Her death has been described as 'sudden' and tributes have poured in from parents and former pupils at Worsley Mesnes Community Primary School in Wigan, where she was headteacher. Former Commonwealth champion Karen Pickering said: 'Helen was a fierce competitor, gritty in training but humble in her victories and medal successes. 'I will remember her most for her sense of humour, laughter and the smile that rarely left her face. Any lane or room was happier when she was in it.' Helen pictured swimming to the fastest time in the heats of the 200m backstroke 17 September at the XVI Commonwealth Games at the National Aquatic Centre in Kuala Lumpur (Picture: EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP via Getty Images) Helen Don-Duncan in action during the ASA National Championships and UK Olympic Trials in 2000 (Picture: Getty Images) Sarah Price, Commonwealth champion in the 200m backstroke at Manchester 2002, added: 'Swimming brought us together, a northern lass and a southern girl that shared the same love for swimming backstroke. 'I am so grateful for all the memories we had together travelling the world, where we spent so much time training and racing. 'I had the utmost respect and admiration for 'DD' as a swimmer and friend. Whether we were racing, training or just hanging out, she was so gracious in all she){kind=link}
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A former Team GB backstroke swimmer who won bronze at the Commonwealth Games in 1998 has died at the age of 43.
Helen Smart, nee Don-Duncan and nicknamed ‘DD’ by fellow swimmers, represented Britain at the Sydney Olympic Games in the 200m backstroke.
She set a British record time when qualifying for Sydney 2000, her debut Games, and reached 15th place, the BBC reports.
Earlier in her career she won silvers at the World Short Course Championships of 1999 and the European Short Course Championships the year before.