[4][5][6] Shortly afterwards he represented Great Britain at the 1928 Olympic Games in Amsterdam, Netherlands, where he finished seventh in the javelin.

Lay's best throw of 67.89 m was achieved in London on 7 July 1928 prior to the 1928 Olympics.

[7] He represented New Zealand at the 1930 British Empire Games, where he won a gold medal.

Lay was a signwriter at Stratford, and could not afford the time off to go to the 1934 British Empire Games in London.

[7] In the 1988 New Year Honours, Lay was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire, for services to sport.