Helen SMITH-IUS

Helen Smith competed at the 1976-84 Olympic Games in foil fencing. She won gold medals in fencing at the 1974 and 1978 Commonwealth Games. Smith then went into administration in fencing and had a long career working for the sport. She became President of the Australian Fencing Federation from 2000-08 and in 2002 became President of the Commonwealth Fencing Federation, after serving as Vice-President from 1994-2002. She also became President of the Oceanian Fencing Confederation in 2002. She served on several commission with the Fédération Internationale d’Éscrime (FIE), including the Rules Commission (2000-08), Special Commission (2000-08), and was an FIE delegate to the IOC Conference on Women in Sport in 2008. Smith was also a special advisor to the Fencing Confederation of Asia, starting in 2008. She was an Executive Member of the Victorian Olympic Council from 2001-09.

Smith also worked as a fencing coach and international referee. For her work in the sport, she received numerous awards, including the Order of Australia in 2015. She was inducted into the International Fencing Hall of Fame in 2013, has been made a Life Member of the Australian Fencing Federation and the Victorian Olympic Council. In 2010 Smith was inducted into the Victorian Honour Roll of Women.