Lindon, Utah is a quite
suburb in the shadow of the Wasatch Mountains. The beauty of the area makes one
feel relaxed, set aside from the hustle and bustle from the city. This is just
what made Jay Silvester decide to settle down there.
Coming from a small
farming community of Tremonton in northern Utah, Silvester feels very much at
home in the country. Knowing this about Silvester, it’s hard to believe he has
traveled the world and performed in front of large crowds of thousands.
In high school, Silvester
and his brother were recruited to play football at the University of Utah in
Salt Lake City. They left two weeks later because they felt out of place in the
large city. “We were farm boys and it was a whole other world, we couldn’t
handle that.” Sylvester said.
The Silvester brothers
transferred to Utah State University in a much more rural community. It was at
Utah State that Jay quit football and committed his efforts to another sport,
Track and Field.
“I’d never really
thought that football workouts were fun, even in High School.” Retorted Sylvester.
The track and field coaches were interested in
the 6’2’’ 220lb young man, thinking he could throw the discus for their team.
His athletic build and quickness seemed prime for throwing the 4 ½ pound disc
for distance. Sylvester seemed
enthusiastic about the idea, “The coach offered me a full ride scholarship…and
I wanted it.”
After switching to
track and field, Silvester never looked back. He won the conference
championship in the discus all four years at Utah State and broke the school
record. But that was just a shadow of what was to come.
Silvester found a
passion in throwing and continued to hone his skills in preparation for the
1960 Olympic Games. After training hard all year, he broke the world record in
the event. However, 23 year old Silvester choked at the Olympic trials and
didn’t make the team until the 1964 Olympics.
“I made it late, and I
thought it would be my last Olympic games, because I was 27.” Little did
Silvester know that he would make the U.S. Olympic team not only in 1964 but in
1968, 1972, and 1976.
Such a long career in
such a physical event is unheard of. Silvester attributes it to hard work, he
trained consistently in the weight room. At his peak he was able to bench press
465lbs, and squat 620lbs.
Throughout his career
Silvester maintained a small town boy attitude of hard work and simplicity. When
asked what his nutrition strategy was to build his athletic physique he said,
“I ate food, good food. My mother cooked very well on the farm, and my wife
cooked very well as well.”
Silvester was amazingly
successful over the course of his career as a discus thrower for team USA. He
set the world record in the event four times, and was the first person to throw
the discus over 60 meters.
In spite of his paramount
success, the country boy struggled under the bright lights at the Olympic Games.
On his struggles at the Olympics Silvester commented, “I would get too excited,
and burnt out, Olympic villages are like Disneyland, it was very hard to find a
place that was quiet to rest.”
Even with his
struggles, Silvester won a silver medal for team USA at the 1974 games. He also
finished in the top eight at every Olympics he competed at. Unlike nearly every
world class athlete today, Silvester always had a full time job during his
competitive years.
In Lindon Utah the
slender 78 year old Jay Silvester tells his stories. Olympic Games in Tokyo,
Mexico City, Munich, and Montreal have left their mark on the man. Through it
all he still insists that life is more about relationships, and serenity than
accolades and fame. The mountains near his home reflect his rugged yet simple
character. This country boy has seen the world and decided he likes it most
right here in Lindon Utah.
--Magazine Silvester was featured in. Published
1964.
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