Prince Edward Island’s accomplished athlete, Mark Arendz, is currently participating in a Para World Cup event in Germany. Interestingly, Arendz is also featured on Cheerios boxes as part of General Mills’ new campaign celebrating Canadian athletes heading to the 2026 Paralympic and Olympic Games in Milano-Cortina, Italy.
Arendz, a Para skier from Hartsville, P.E.I., who lost his left arm in a childhood accident, has accumulated 12 medals, including two gold, in biathlon and cross-country skiing throughout his Paralympic career.
Expressing his thoughts on the campaign, Arendz emphasized the significance of inspiring conversations about sports and athletes’ journeys, particularly among children who may come across the cereal boxes with athletes’ faces.
As Arendz gears up for his fifth Paralympic Games in March, he highlighted the value of past experiences in enhancing his preparation. Despite his seasoned status at 35, Arendz remains focused on improving his performance, emphasizing the importance of refining various aspects of his athletic skills to excel on race day.
The forthcoming Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympics, marking the 50th anniversary of the Winter Paralympics, will host around 600 athletes competing in 79 medal events across six sports, including alpine skiing, biathlon, cross-country skiing, ice hockey, snowboard, and wheelchair curling.