Gaylord Lucien D. Silly (; born 20 February 1986) is a French-Seychellois long-distance runner who represents Seychelles internationally. Born in Vendôme, France, to a Seychelloise mother and a French father, he holds dual nationality.
His first regional event came in 2007 when he finished fourth in the 3000 metres steeplechase at the 2007 Indian Ocean Island Games.Men's Half Marathon. IAAF. Retrieved 30 March 2010.Gaylord finishes 163rd . Seychelles Nation (4 February 2008). Retrieved 2010-03-30. After finishing 49th at the 2008 Cross Ouest France,36th IAAF World Cross Country Championships – Biographical summaries. IAAF (2008). Retrieved 30 March 2010. he took part in the 2008 IAAF World Cross Country Championships as the sole representative of the Seychelles.MacDonald, Hugh (31 March 2008). Awash with colour and noise. The Herald (Glasgow). Retrieved 2010-03-30. Before the race, he stated that he wanted to push himself to his limits and said "my ambition is to make my country proud and to run a good race". . Sunday Mail|location=Scotland (30 March 2008). His time of 43:03 for the 12 km men's race was over eight minutes behind the winner and he finished in 162nd place overall.Senior Race – M Final. IAAF (30 March 2008). Retrieved 2010-03-30. Silly had been chosen by the Seychelles Athletics Federation instead of veteran Simon Labiche because Silly was living comparatively near to the race venue (Edinburgh, Scotland).
Silly ran in the Semi Marathon de Vendome in 2009, running a half marathon best of 1:10:44,Silly Gaylord. IAAF. Retrieved 30 March 2010. and as a result he was selected to represent the Seychelles for a second time, forming part of a Seychellois trio (including Labiche and Simone Zapha) competing at the 2009 IAAF World Half Marathon Championships. He finished in 90th place out of 94 finishers, although his time of 1:11:57 was just enough to beat compatriot Labiche.Jaffa, Gaylord, Labiche complete distance in drizzle . Seychelles Nation (16 October 2009). Retrieved 2010-03-30. He returned to the world cross country stage with an appearance at the 2010 IAAF World Cross Country Championships – again being the country's sole representative in the men's race. He finished in 121st position, over six minutes behind winner Joseph Ebuya who lapped him.Butler, Mark (28 March 2010). Joseph Ebuya ends Kenyan draught – Men's Senior race report. IAAF. Retrieved 2010-03-30. However, Silly did manage to beat the entire four-man team sent by Iraq.Senior Race – M Final. IAAF (28 March 2010). Retrieved 2010-03-30.
Silly also came home fifth, and last, place in his 800 metres heat at the 2012 IAAF World Indoor Championships. His time of 1:54.93 minutes was less than five seconds off Antonio Manuel Reina's winning time, but was enough for a new national indoor record. He represented the Seychelles at the 2013 Jeux de la Francophonie and came seventh in the 3000 metres steeplechase with a personal best of 9:08.47 minutes.2013 Jeux de la Francophonie Resultats . Francophonie. Retrieved 22 March 2014. On the regional scene, he finished twelfth in the steeplechase at the 2014 African Championships.
When not running competitively, Silly works as a tree surgeon in France.38th IAAF World Cross Country Championships – Biographical Start Lists. IAAF (2010). Retrieved 30 March 2010.
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External links
Athlete images on Flickr