by Mike Matzinger
David Blair is an American Paralympic athlete renowned for his achievements in discus and shot put. Born on September 25, 1975, in Eagle Mountain, Utah, Blair was born with a clubfoot, a condition that led to several surgeries and years of wearing braces. Despite these challenges, he excelled in various athletic endeavors. At the age of 13, Blair received a VHS tape on discus throwing, which he used as his sole source of coaching. Remarkably, he went on to win the Utah State Championship in discus in 1993.
Blair continued his athletic pursuits at Weber State University, where he set multiple school records and won conference championship titles in the hammer and weight throw. After graduating in 1999, he shifted his focus to a career as a database programmer and took a hiatus from athletics. In 2015, after a 16-year break, Blair returned to the sport and quickly made his mark, becoming a world silver medalist in discus that same year.
At the 2016 Summer Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro, Blair clinched the gold medal in the men’s discus throw F44 event, setting a new world record with a throw of 64.11 meters. He also competed in the 2020 Summer Paralympics in Tokyo, finishing fourth in the men’s discus throw F64 event. As of 2024, he continues to compete at the highest levels of para-athletics, securing the bronze medal in the men’s discus throw F64 event at the Paris Paralympics.
Beyond his athletic accomplishments, Blair has remained deeply connected to Scouting America. He earned the rank of Eagle Scout in 1992 with Troop 318 of the Trapper Trails Council. During his Scouting years, Blair participated in various outdoor activities, including mountain climbing and 20-mile hikes, which instilled in him a strong sense of perseverance and a love for nature. He fondly recalls an experience where he and his fellow Scouts used signaling mirrors to communicate over long distances in the Wasatch Mountains, highlighting the practical skills and camaraderie fostered through Scouting.
In addition to his personal achievements, Blair has been an active volunteer in Scouting America, serving in roles such as Scoutmaster, assistant Scoutmaster, Venturing Advisor, and committee chairman with the Utah National Parks Council. He believes that Scouting provides invaluable experiences for youth, encouraging them to engage with the outdoors and develop essential life skills.
David Blair’s journey from overcoming physical challenges to achieving excellence in athletics and remaining committed to Scouting America exemplifies the values of determination, service, and community.