One of Prince Edward Island’s most decorated athletes is currently in Germany for a Para World Cup event — but if you keep your eyes peeled, you might see him in Island grocery stores.
Mark Arendz is featured on boxes of Cheerios, part of a new campaign from General Mills celebrating Canada’s athletes heading to the 2026 Paralympic and Olympic Games in Milano-Cortina, Italy.
“That’s something very special,” Arendz told CBC’s Island Morning. “[Having] these athletes there on the breakfast table or snack tables, if you will.”
Arendz, who lost his left arm in a farming accident at the age of seven, has won 12 medals — including two gold — in biathlon and cross-country skiing over his Paralympic career.
He said campaigns like this are important to him because he hopes some kids will see the faces on the cereal boxes as an opportunity to talk about sports and the stories behind each of the athletes.
“I’ve always felt that my part of my success is what I can share with the next generation,” he said.
“My experiences, my knowledge, my wisdom… the details that will make the difference between success, performance and achievement.”
The biathlon and Para-Nordic skier from Hartsville, P.E.I., is getting ready to compete in his fifth Paralympic Games in March — and although he’s still got plenty of training in the weeks ahead, he said having past experience under his belt helps him feel more prepared.
“I think the lessons from each Games, you kind of keep… different experiences of what to focus on or what to just let slide,” Arendz said.
“That said, every Games is a little different — your preparation, your maturity as an athlete, what your focuses are for those particular games.”
Arendz said he’s concentrating on speed ahead of the 2026 Games.
“I want to be faster when I hit the snow on March 7.”
At 35, Arendz said he may be closer to the end of his career as a professional athlete than the beginning, but he is still always looking for ways he can push himself to be better.
“Which elements on the snow, which elements on the range, which elements before I even get to the venue — which of these pieces can I improve on and overall just make myself a better performer on the day?” he said.
“And then once I start the race… you make your best poker hand and you cross the finish line, you put the cards down and see if anyone can beat you.”
The Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympics will run from March 6 to 15 and will mark the 50th anniversary of the Winter Paralympics.
Around 600 athletes will compete in 79 medal events across six sports: alpine skiing, biathlon, cross-country skiing, ice hockey, snowboard and wheelchair curling.
