Don Baird

Born in Australia in 1951, Don Baird left the country when he was 19-years-old, travelling to West Germany with just $100 to his name with the dream of becoming a world champion in the pole vault. Whilst in Europe, Baird became friends with a department store owner who taught him some invaluable business skills that he would use later in life. In the meantime, he continued to train hard in the pole vault, eventually representing Australia at major international competitions.

In 1974 Baird won gold at the British Commonwealth Games in Christchurch, New Zealand, clearing 5.05 metres in the final. Two years later he was selected to represent Australia at the Montréal Olympics, but had a disappointing Games, placing 12th in the final. In 1977 he just missed out on a medal at the IAAF World Cup in Düsseldorf when he finished fourth. The following year Baird went to Edmonton, Canada to defend his Commonwealth title, but narrowly lost out to home favourite Bruce Simpson (CAN) to take home silver.

Baird also competed for the Long Beach State track and field team in the United States in the mid-to-late 1970s, becoming a four-time NCAA All-American. At the NCAA Outdoor Championships he finished second in 1976, followed by third place a year later. He had more success in the NCAA Indoor Championships, placing second in 1976, before becoming the US champion in 1977.

Following his retirement from athletics, Baird stayed in California where he worked as a corporate fundraiser for local high school athletics programmes. He also helped to complete a deal with the US Bank of Oregon to save high school athletics in the state. By the end of the 1980s he had secured a $1.3 million deal for a three-year arrangement for the California Interscholastic Federation with the Coca-Cola Company and Reebok. In 2008 Baird was inducted into the Long Beach State Hall of Fame.

Personal Best: PV – 5.53 (1977).