Stanley Arthur Lay (27 July 1906 – 12 May 2003) was a New Zealand

javelin throw The javelin throw is a track and field event where the javelin, a spear about in length, is thrown. The javelin thrower gains momentum by running within a predetermined area. Javelin throwing is an event of both the men's decathlon and the ...

er who competed at the

1928 Summer Olympics The 1928 Summer Olympics ( nl, Olympische Zomerspelen 1928), officially known as the Games of the IX Olympiad ( nl, Spelen van de IXe Olympiade) and commonly known as Amsterdam 1928, was an international multi-sport event that was celebrated from ...

1930 British Empire Games The 1930 British Empire Games were the inaugural edition of what now is known as the Commonwealth Games, and were held in Hamilton, Ontario, from 16 to 23 August 1930. The games were organized by ''Hamilton Spectator'' sportswriter Bobby Robinso ...

1938 British Empire Games The 1938 British Empire Games was the third British Empire Games, the event that evolved to become the Commonwealth Games. Held in Sydney, Australia from 5–12 February 1938, they were timed to coincide with Sydney's sesqui-centenary (150 ye ...

, and

1950 British Empire Games The 1950 British Empire Games was the fourth staging of what is now called the Commonwealth Games. It was held in Auckland, New Zealand between 4 and 11 February 1950, after a 12-year gap from the third edition of the games. The main venue was ...

. In 1928, he finished

seventh Seventh is the ordinal form of the number seven. Seventh may refer to: * Seventh Amendment to the United States Constitution * A fraction (mathematics), , equal to one of seven equal parts Film and television *"The Seventh", a second-season e ...

. At the

British Empire Games The Commonwealth Games, often referred to as the Friendly Games or simply the Comm Games, are a quadrennial international multi-sport event among athletes from the Commonwealth of Nations. The event was first held in 1930, and, with the exce ...

he won a gold medal in 1930 and a silver in 1938, placing sixth in 1950. Lay's best throw of 67.89 m was achieved in

London London is the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary down to the North Sea, and has been a majo ...

on 7 July 1928 prior to the 1928 Olympics. Officials thought he had broken the world record, but they had overlooked

Eino Penttilä Eino Penttilä (27 August 1906 – 24 November 1982) was a Finnish javelin thrower who won a bronze medal at the 1932 Summer Olympics, behind teammates Matti Järvinen and Matti Sippala. Career Penttlä was a Biathlon competitor who changed ...

's record throw of 69.88 the previous year. Lay's throw remained the Commonwealth record for 26 years.Heidenstrom, P. (1992) ''Athletes of the Century.'' Wellington: GP Publications. Lay was a signwriter at Stratford, and could not afford the time off to go to the

1934 British Empire Games The 1934 British Empire Games were the second edition of what is now known as the Commonwealth Games, held in England, from 4–11 August 1934. The host city was London, with the main venue at Wembley Park, although the track cycling events wer ...

in London. At the 1950 Empire Games Lay took the oath on behalf of all competitors. In the

1988 New Year Honours The New Year Honours 1988 were appointments by most of the Commonwealth realms of Queen Elizabeth II to various orders and honours to reward and highlight good works by citizens of those countries, and honorary ones to citizens of other countries ...

, Lay was appointed a

Member of the Order of the British Empire The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding contributions to the arts and sciences, work with charitable and welfare organisations, and public service outside the civil service. It was established o ...

, for services to sport. Two years later he was inducted into the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame.

References

, 13 August 2004 1906 births 2003 deaths New Zealand male javelin throwers Olympic athletes for New Zealand Athletes (track and field) at the 1928 Summer Olympics Athletes (track and field) at the 1930 British Empire Games Athletes (track and field) at the 1938 British Empire Games Athletes (track and field) at the 1950 British Empire Games Commonwealth Games gold medallists for New Zealand Commonwealth Games silver medallists for New Zealand Sportspeople from Stratford, New Zealand New Zealand Members of the Order of the British Empire Sportspeople from New Plymouth Commonwealth Games medallists in athletics Medallists at the 1930 British Empire Games Medallists at the 1938 British Empire Games {{NewZealand-athletics-bio-stub

References

Further reading