RUSTON, La. - With the countdown to the XXXI Olympiad in Rio de Janeiro well underway, several current and former Louisiana Tech student-athletes begin their quest this week to reach the world's grandest athletic stage.

In all, Louisiana Tech will have at least nine current or former student-athletes competing in at least five different nation's championship qualifying meets over the next two weeks in hopes of securing a spot at the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Brazil.

It begins this weekend in both the Caribbean and in Europe. Former Lady Techster Ayanna Alexander will compete in the Trinidad and Tobago National Championships at Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. First up is the triple jump on June 25, an event she competed in at the XXX Olympiad in London, followed by the long jump on June 26.

Also in the Caribbean this weekend, Bulldog hurdler Tramaine Maloney will compete at National Stadium in Waterford, St. Michael in his home country of Barbados. The hurdler is set to compete in the 110m hurdles on June 25.

Meanwhile in Europe current Lady Techster Chloe Lautric will compete in France's national championship meet at Stade du Lac du Maine in Angers, France. Her high jump competition is set for June 25.

Jamaica hosts its national championship meet on June 30 through July 3 at National Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica and Louisiana Tech will be represented by three different current and former athletes with all three competing on July 2. Former Bulldog Jason Morgan, a 2010 Olympian, competes in the discus and will be joined in that competition with Shaun Haughton, another former Bulldog. Current Lady Techster Aprell Williams will also compete that day in the hammer throw.

The United States Olympic Trials will be held at historic Heyward Field in Eugene, Oregon on July 1-10. Chelsea Hayes, a former Lady Techster long jumper and 2010 Olympian, competes in the long jump with the qualifying round on July 1 followed by the finals set for July 2.

Former Bulldog Jarvis Gotch will compete in the men's long jump with qualifying set for July 2 and the finals scheduled for July 3.

Also on July 2 but across the country in Charlotte, North Carolina, current Bulldog sprinter Jaquvis Hart will compete at the U.S. Paralympic Trials with his sights set on the 2016 Paralympic Games, also in Rio de Janeiro. Last October Hart won gold and set a new world championship record in the 400m for the T47 class at the IPC World Championships in Doha, Qatar.

The XXXI Olympiad is set to take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from August 5-21 while the Paralympic Games will last from Sept. 7-18.

For complete coverage of Tech Track and Field and Cross Country, please follow @LATechTandF on Twitter or visit the official home of Louisiana Tech Athletics at LATechSports.com.