The world returns to London. The vision for the Olympic Games was that future generations would continue to be inspired by world-class athletes and performances in London. On Sept. 11-15, London will hosts the ITU World Triathlon Grand Final using same course and venue that was used in the London 2012 Olympic Games. There will be an expected 5,000 athletes, in various divisions representing their countries from all over the world, to compete for the world championship titles.
 The 2013 ITU World Triathlon Grand Final Series Short-Course Olympic Triathlon, Sprint Triathlon, and Aqauathon World Championships will take place at Hyde Park in London from Sept. 11-15. Local resident Joseph Trapp will compete on September 11, after walking with the United States team in the opening ceremonies. Following the opening ceremonies, Trapp will compete for the world title. The event is a 10K run and 1,000-meter swim. After qualification and selection, Trapp championed through 10 weeks of training in bad winter conditions to make the cuts running the 5K in under 19 minutes while swimming the 1,000-meter swim in less than 13:56.
 Trapp has been asked to help host the world championships over a three-day period following the competition. Trapp will have to embrace the Olympic Faith and USOC Code of Conduct to be a member of the team.
 Trapp competed in the 2011 ITU World Championships in Beijing, China for Team USA and earned a 15th world-ranking despite injury. The RCP Open water swim is considered to be the fastest short-sprint open-water race in the world.
“Competing in the elite group while working a full-time job is a daunting task,” said Trapp.
 Trapp is no stranger to world competitions. While serving as a flight line escort in the United States Air Force at Joint Base Andrews, a special tactical team in direct support of the United States President and world leaders, Trapp hosted and competed in the 2011 World FINA  Swimming Championships in  Guthenburg, Sweden in September 2010.
Trapp served as the United States Ambassador for the Armed Forces serving as a turn-stroke judge, timer and coordinator. Trapp also helped with the security of 50 national teams, along with extra duties working with the the Sweden Federation.
“My most rememberable moment was getting to escort FINA President ( world federation of swimming) and IOC member Dr. Julio C. Maglione to and from the opening ceremoines of the world championships. Along with the IOC members, West Swedish Federation President,  the President of Volvo (which was the official sponsor of the meet) and having the opportunity to work officials who work for the Royal Family of Sweden, I have now developed friendships in Stockholm, Sweden,”  Trapp said.
The legacy of this meet is that since the popularity of open-water swimming has increased, FINA and the IOC have adopted Masters Swimming to the 2016 Summer Olympic program which means Masters Swimming will become an Olympic sport. Trapp competed in the 3K open-water swim and shaved over a minute off his overall time.
 Since going back to work in security, Trapp still kept in contact and has worked as an advocate for the military. Working with several groups that represent the President of the United States, DOD and Joint Chief of Staffs, Trapp fought three long years to repeal two defense bills while protecting our national security.    
“It’s been hard but after recovering from the damage of the tornado, I have made a full recovery and now the daunting part is being faced with a 16-week training program of running and swimming in complete agon