L. Jay Silvester (born August 27, 1937) and participated in college athletics at Utah State University from 1956 to 1959 is an American retired athlete who mainly competed in the discus throw. In this event he finished in fourth, fifth, second and eighth place at the 1964, 1968, 1972 and 1976 Summer Olympics, respectively, and won a bronze medal at the 1975 Pan American Games. During his career, Silvester won five AAU discus titles and set four world records, two in 1961 (60.56 m and 60.72 m) and two in 1968 (66.54 m and 68.40 m). His personal bests were 70.38 m in the discus (1971, unofficial world record) and 20.01 m in the shot put. After retirement, he worked as professor of physical education at Brigham Young University. Silvester held the M35 Masters American Records for the Shot Put and Discus Throw, and is the current holder of the M70 Masters American Records for the Discus Throw. Silvester won gold medals for the M45 Discus Throw at the 1983 and 1984 Masters National Outdoor Championships.

Personal life

Silvester is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and he was their first member to participate in 4 Olympic Games.