Stan Lay

When he was a young boy in New Zealand Stan Lay could throw a cricket ball a very long way, which eventually led him to become the best javelin thrower in the country. In 1927 Lay threw the javelin 66.50 metres in what were described as terrible conditions at an event in Wellington. Despite the throw not being declared to be legal due to wind conditions he was selected for New Zealand’s delegation for the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics to become the first athlete from the country to compete in the javelin at the Games. Just prior to the Olympics Lay threw 67.90 metres in a preparation event in London, England, setting a Commonwealth record that stood for 26 years. At the Amsterdam Games he just missed out on reaching the final, finishing in seventh place with a best throw of 62.89 metres.

Lay had better success at the British Empire Games where he won the gold medal at the 1930 edition in Hamilton, Canada, with a throw of 63.75 metres. He could not attend the 1934 Games in London, England, as he was working as a signwriter in New Zealand and was unable to afford to take time off from his job. Lay did compete at the 1938 British Empire Games in Sydney, Australia, with him winning the silver medal. Due to the onset and impact of World War II the next British Empire Games were not held until 1950 when they were contested in Auckland, New Zealand. Lay took the oath on behalf of the other athletes at his home Games where he finished in sixth place in his favoured event.

During his career Lay won 12 national titles in the javelin (1926–30, 1934–35, 1937, 1939, 1945–46, 1950) before retiring from athletics in his early-40s. He continued to be involved in sport working as a chief field judge at multiple competitions. Lay was made an MBE in 1987 and was inducted into the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame three years later.

Personal Best: JT – 67.89 (1928).