Don Baird
Australian pole vaulter (1951–2026)
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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 |
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