Background
Baird was born in Cupar, Fife on 14 March 1974 and graduated from Dundee University.
Baird was born in Cupar, Fife on 14 March 1974 and graduated from Dundee University.
During her career she was recognised as the greatest sprinter in her class, winning four Paralympic gold medals along with two World Championships titles. Her potential was quickly recognised. Competing under her maiden name of Innes she attended her first Paralympic Games in 1992.
She then competed in the World Championships in Berlin in 1994, winning bronze in both the 100m and 200m.
At the 1996 Games in Atlanta Baird retained her 100m gold and though this time she secured a place in the 200m finals she was unable to finish in a medal-winning position. Her greatest Paralympic results came two years later at the Games in Sydney.
Baird"s time of 1 minute 16.65 seconds was a new world record, beating the previous time by nearly six seconds. Though she is retired from international competition she still trains with coach John Oulton.
Baird was a member of the Cupar and District Swimming Club and represented Scotland at the British Swimming Championships. She was encouraged to take up athletics and travelled to the 1989 World Games in Miami as a member of the Scottish Youth Team.