From career-threatening injury to Pan Am medalist

By Emmerson Campbell On In Sports |
Contrasting Emotions! Leslain Baird unfortunately suffered a meniscus and a partial ACL tear in his left knee in 2021. It proved to be only a hurdle in his career path as a smiling Baird captured a Pan Am bronze medal in the javelin throw.
Contrasting Emotions! Leslain Baird unfortunately suffered a meniscus and a partial ACL tear in his left knee in 2021. It proved to be only a hurdle in his career path as a smiling Baird captured a Pan Am bronze medal in the javelin throw.

Athletic success can be one of the most fragile things in sports since the potential for injury is always just one play away.

Yet while many careers have been sidetracked or lost in such premature fashion, some sports stars have used injury as a catalyst for bigger and better things.

Enter the local javelin great, Leslain Baird.

His story of overcoming a near-career-ending injury two years ago and historically stepping on the podium earlier this month at the Pan American Games in Chile is inspiring.

“Coming from a serious injury to winning a bronze medal at Pan Am is not just special for me; it’s special for everyone behind me,” said Baird yesterday, who now has his sights set on next year’s Paris Olympics. “This means a lot for us. You know, it’s just trusting the process and God’s plan, and I’m really thankful for this.”