Leslie Copeland is embarking on the next stage of his athletic career that is to qualify for the Rio 2016 Olympics.

The London 2012 Olympian and former Marist Brothers High School student was given around $10,000 by FASANOC through the Olympic Solidarity Programme to compete in the Melbourne Classic and the Australian Championship this month.

Copeland said this will help him achieve his goal of taking part in the next Olympic Games.