Andrew Baildon – Swimming – 1988, 1992
BACHELOR OF COMMUNICATION
Andrew Baildon achieved multiple milestones during his illustrious swimming career.
A first Australian Schoolboys record at the age of 10. Winning five gold medals as a 14-year-old at the Junior Olympics in Japan. At 16, the youngest male to represent Australia at the Olympics since dual gold medallist (and future father-in-law) Michael Wenden. The first Australian to break 50 seconds for the 100m freestyle.
Then there was the first that set him on the path to a successful career in business – the recipient of Bond University’s first sporting scholarship.
“There was enormous support for me to get through my degree,” recalled the dual Olympian (Seoul 1988, Barcelona 1992). “The professors were quite flexible with me when I had to go to swim meets or find time to sit exams at certain times.
“It was all very cooperative, and the support of Bond elite level athletes has only got better.”
Having nearly drowned as a youngster in the family pool, Baildon went on to swim like his life depended on it and is considered one of Australia’s great sprint champions.
His crowning moment? The 1990 Commonwealth Games in Auckland when, under the masterful guidance of Miami swim coach Denis Cotterell, he became the first swimmer in the Commonwealth to break the 50-second barrier for the 100m freestyle.