Robert William Lay (20 March 1944 – 5 August 2022) was an Australian sprinter. He was Australian 100 yards champion three times. For years, Lay was regarded as the fastest man in Australia. He is best known for competing in the men's 100 metres at the 1964 Summer Olympics and for his incredible work within his community. Lay grew up in the suburb of Glebe in Sydney and as a youth excelled in rugby, playing first grade for Randwick Rugby Club. His career there included a premiership, and he also represented New South Wales twice. He joined Western Suburbs Amateur Athletics Club in 1960 at the age of 16, and just two years after being involved in athletics, at the age of 18, Lay represented Australia in three events at the 1962 British Empire and Commonwealth Games held in Perth. Here he competed in the 100 yards, 200 yards, and 4 X 110 yards relay. In 1964, he represented Australia in the 100m’s at the Tokyo Olympics making the semi-final. Lay held numerous records and titles over his athletic career including the national record for the 100 yards at 9.2 seconds. It remains to this day, a handheld record. He was also a member of the 4 X 100-yard relay team that broke the world record in 1964. A plaque acknowledging this achievement is in the pavement surrounding the warmup track at the Homebush stadium where the Sydney 2000 Olympics were held. Lay retired at the end of 1968, and left an incredible career behind. He was Australian champion over 100 yards in 1963, 1964 and 1965. In addition, he was NSW 100 yards champion 1963, 1964, 1965, 1967 and 1968 and NSW 200 yards champion in 1963, 1964, 1966, 1967 and 1968. Since retiring from competition, Lay devoted his energy to not only his professional career but also to the local community. This career spanned 50 years, working as an executive in both sporting and business organisations. He also simultaneously commenced an ongoing and outstanding contribution to the community. Volunteering as a firefighter for the Gembrook fire brigade in the Blue Mountains is a brilliant example of this, where he fought the 1968 fires that devastated parts of the Mountains. In December of 1968, Lay also became a first-time father to his son Graeme, with wife Helen. Both Helen and Graeme are as involved in sport and their respective