Don Baird, an Australian Olympic pole vaulter who competed in 1976, died on March 3, 2026.
Born Donald George Baird on 29 May 1951, he was coached by Walter Chisholm and set a personal best of 5.53 metres on 16 April 1977 at a meet in Long Beach. Competing for the Long Beach State Beach track and field team, he won the pole vault at the 1977 NCAA Division I Indoor Track and Field Championships with a mark of 5.28 metres.
After retiring as an athlete, Baird remained in California and worked as a corporate fundraiser for high school athletics programs.
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.