Vale: Bob Lay AM

5 August 2022

Vale: Bob Lay AM

We sadly report the passing today of Olympian Robert (Bob) Lay AM who passed away this morning, aged 78.

Bob, competed for Western Suburbs (Asics Wests) and was one of the leading sprinters in Australia in the early ‘60s.

He made his Australian debut at the 1962 British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Perth, where he made the 110 yards quarter-final, 220 yards semi-final and ran on the 4 x 110 yards relay which placed fifth after dropping the baton.

Over the next three years he hit his peak, winning the NSW and Australian 100 yards titles in 1963, 1964 and 1965. He also won the NSW 220 yards over those three years.

In 1964 he competed at the Tokyo Olympics with great success. He made the 100m semi-final clocking an outstanding time of 10.42 in the quarter-final. In the semi he ran a wind assisted 10.35. He also made the 200m quarter-final and helped the relay to the semi-finals.

He continued to win NSW titles – the 100m 1967 and 1968 and 200 metres 1966, 1967 and 1968.

In recent years, he reflected on this quick rise to prominence and competing at the 1962 British Empire and Commonwealth Games.

“It was unbelievable just to be there,” he said. “Even though I’d only been in the sport for two years.”

Bob also had fond memories of his Olympic debut.

“Walking out in front of about 100,000 people at the stadium, it was electrifying,” he said.
“That kind of memory never leaves you.
“It was just awesome to be there, to be up against the best in the world.”
 

After athletics, he played rugby union as a winger, for three seasons for Randwick Rugby, winning one premiership and representing in Sydney and NSW teams.

Bob worked extensive in sports administration in Victoria, receiving an OAM.

David Tarbotton for Athletics NSW

Images: 1965 NSW 100 yards – Bob winning far left. (Image from David Tarbotton’s archives)