Don Baird

Donald George Baird (29 May 1951 – February 2026) was an Australian pole vaulter. He set his personal best (5.53 metres) on 16 April 1977 at a meet in Long Beach. He was coached by pole vault coach Walter Chisholm.

Biography

Competing for the Long Beach State Beach track and field team, Baird won the 1977 pole vault at the NCAA Division I Indoor Track and Field Championships with a mark of 5.28 metres.[1]

After retiring as an athlete, Baird continued living in California, working as a corporate fundraiser for high school athletics programs.[2] He died in California in February 2026, at the age of 74.[3][4]

Achievements

Year Competition Venue Position Notes
1974 Commonwealth Games Christchurch, New Zealand 1st 5.05 m
1977 IAAF World Cup Düsseldorf, West Germany 4th 5.20 m
1978 Commonwealth Games Edmonton, Canada 2nd 5.10 m

References

  1. ^ "Don Baird (2008) - Hall of Fame". Long Beach State University Athletics. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  2. ^ Hamilton, Tom (18 January 1989). "Baird Makes a Name for Himself Orchestrating Sponsorship Deals". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 23 February 2026.
  3. ^ "Don Baird". Olympedia. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
  4. ^ "Don Baird has passed away". Rare Air Club on Facebook. 21 February 2026. Retrieved 3 March 2026.

Sources

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