Aug. 19, 2004

STILLWATER, Okla.- Oklahoma State volunteer women's assistant cross country and track coach, Mindaugas "Mindi" Pukstas will be competing in his first career Olympics August 29th in Athens, Greece. Pukstas will represent Lithuania as he competes on the last day of the Olympics in the Marathon. Pukstas qualified for the Olympics at the Motorola Marathon in February, when he recorded his best time in a Marathon (2:14.58). The 2004 Olympic Marathon will hold the competition where the original Olympics was held at. "This will be by far the toughest marathon Mindi has raced in his career. It is hilly, hot, humid, and who ever will handle the heat and hills the best should place." said women's track head coach Rene Spulveda. Coach Spulveda added that Pukstas trained primarily in Stillwater, which serves as a good training ground because it is similar to the conditions in Athens. He also spent five weeks training at high altitude in New Mexico. With it just being his first appearance in the Olympics, Pukstas is not favored for a medal. "If he can come out, use this Olympics as a positive experience, then he will be ready for the future, and compete for a medal," said Spulveda. After the Olympics, Mindi will return to Stillwater as an assistant coach and will finish up his education with a Masters of International Studies. He will be reunited with his wife, Zivile, who is the jumps and sprint coach for the women's track team. Oklahoma State athletic website