Walter Thane Baker (born October 4, 1931) is an American former sprinter and winner of the gold medal in the 4x100 m relay at the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, Australia, with a new world record of 39.5 seconds.

After turning forty, Baker participated in the Masters Track and Field program and held numerous world records in the 100 yd, 100 m, 220 y, 200 m, and several relays in the age groups categories of 40–44, 45–49, and 50–54 years of age.

He retired in 1983 as a colonel from the United States Air Force after serving thirty years of active and reserve status.

Additionally, in 1992, he retired from Mobil Research and Development after thirty-nine years of employment.

[5] Baker is the oldest living United States Olympic medalist in track, and ranks third in the world in the same category.