WILDWOOD CREST – Centennial Park turned red, white and blue on Friday night. The Crest community gathered to honor the newest member of the United States Olympic team, native Joe Maloy. The 2004 graduate of Wildwood Catholic High School earned his spot on the team after finishing as the top American in last weekend’s ITU World Triathlon Yokohama in Japan. He will join two other men on the triathlon team in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Former coaches, community officials, friends and family spoke on behalf of Maloy in the ceremony. Afterwards, he signed an Olympic flag that will fly in Centennial Park throughout the summer. He joined members of the Wildwood Crest Running Club and Wild Harbor Triathlon Club in a closing ceremonial run.
The opening ceremony of the 2016 Summer Olympics is scheduled for Friday, Aug. 5. Maloy will compete in the men’s triathlon, taking place at Copacabana Beach on Aug. 18.
