Don Elgin was raised in the NSW town of Tocumwal. Being born without the lower portion of his left leg was no barrier for this boy who would make his first Australian team at 18 years of age.
Don went to the 1994 World Championships in Berlin, where he won a gold medal as part of the 4x100m relay team. Following this event, Don’s focus moved from the sprint events to the Pentathlon.
The Pentathlon is made up of five events, long jump, shot put, 100m, discus and 400m. To be successful, an athlete must posses extraordinary discipline, focus and balance of strength and speed. Don made the 1996 Australian Paralympic team where he finished 4th in Atlanta.
One of the longest serving scholarship holders at the Victorian Institute of Sport Don competed in the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games where he won bronze in the Pentathlon. In pursuit of his ultimate goal of being number one in the World in the below knee amputee Pentathlon Don moved a step closer when he finished with a Silver medal at the 2002 IPC World Championships. 2004 Don became a triple Paralympic medallist with two Bronze, one in the Pentathlon and a Silver in Athens.
As a respected voice on sport both on and off the track Don commentated at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne and appeared on Andrew Denton’s ABC TV show Enough Rope. He is a current board member of DASSI and Limbs4life patron and a former vice President of The Amputee Association of Victoria.
Three weeks after Don lead the Australian team as the flag bearer at the 2006 World championships, he underwent knee surgery to ensure that he was fit and ready to help people all over the world find that winning edge.
Whether it is his driving in the celebrity Challenge at the Grand Prix or the book launch and speaking tour of China, his experience while in Dubai or America as a Key note speaker one thing is for sure when Don speaks you cant help but listen.
Client Feedback
“I have observed Don first hand on a number of occasions and I admire the way in which he can amuse, inspire and challenge his audience. I would have no hesitation in highly recommending Don for any speaking engagement.”
Paul Kiteley, Athlete Services Manager, Victorian Institute of Sport
“Now you realise why Don is one of our team leaders, a bloody important part of our team”
Chris Nunn, Head Coach, Australian Track and Field Team, Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games.
“Don is an exceptional and intelligent speaker who draws heavily on his own background and experience as a Paralympic champion to inspire and motivate.”
Greg Hartung, President, Australian Paralympic Committee
“I have heard many speakers, both professional and ‘hobbyists’ in the twenty-seven years I have been working. Don Elgin is one of only a few speakers who have left me with lasting impressions. Don’s presentation’s are of the highest standard in quantity and quality.”
Australia Post
