CANMORE – Major achievements by ParaNordic star Mark Arendz made way for a landmark 2018 and life for the Canmorite just got a little sweeter.
After one of the greatest individual performances ever at a Paralympics, Alberta Sport Connection (ASC) announced Arendz won the Alberta 2018 Open Male Athlete of the Year on Friday (May 3) at honorary ceremonies in Edmonton.
https://twitter.com/markarendz/status/1124616147716988928
Arendz, who is currently in Europe, said he was thrilled to learn he won.
“In a category that’s recognizing both the accomplishments of Olympians and Paralympians, it is truly an honour,” wrote Arendz in an email to the Outlook.
“I think the PyeongChang Winter Paralympic Games were a large part of success in receiving this award. Those Games showcased the hard work of so many that have helped me along the way in achieving what became the success of PyeongChang.”
Arendz, 29, made national history at the PyeongChang Games, winning gold, two silver and three bronze medals in cross-country skiing and biathlon events over nine days – the most medals any Canadian athlete has won at a single Paralympic Winter Games. The experience in South Korea was capped off when he was named Canada’s closing ceremony flag bearer.
Arendz said after years of training, he needed to just tweak a few of the tiniest details in his performance to achieve the great success showcased in PyeongChang.
“I was extremely focused through the year building towards the Games,” Arendz wrote. “My sole focus was on achieving my goals of being the best prepared as I could for each of my competitions … the Games were the highlight of my career this far.”
Once he returned to Canada after the Paralympics, he made his way to the IWK Children’s Hospital in Halifax, where he visited the doctors who saved his life 22 years ago. Arendz lost his left arm in a farming accident when he was seven years old.
Arendz lives and trains out of Canmore now, but his monumental success at the Games didn’t go unnoticed by his native province, Prince Edward Island.
The province celebrated Arendz’s PyeongChang achievements by renaming Brookvale Provincial Park to the Mark Arendz Provincial Ski Park at Brookvale, where he trained for much of his youth.
Last July, Arendz marshaled Canmore’s Canada Day parade along with local Paralymic and Olympic athletes.
Then in November, Arendz won Best Male Athlete at the Canadian Paralympic Sports Awards.
“The past year has been extremely busy; with travel, celebrations and further training,” Arendz wrote. “I flew back to Prince Edward Island several times throughout the year. The year has been a fantastic experience and full of unique opportunities that came from the success of PyeongChang.”
At the ASC ceremonies, Arendz’s brother Menno accepted the award on his brother’s behalf.
“Mark’s 2018 was exemplary,” wrote Steven Patrick, ASC sport consultant, in an email. “After missing the top step of the Paralympic Podium in Sochi, he was able to win Gold in PyeongChang. Winning six medals at the
Paralympics is a Canadian record. Being recognized as Canada’s flag bearer at the closing ceremonies is both a fitting honour for his accomplishments, and another reason he is deserving of this award.
“Mark’s overall performance in 2018 and the number of events he medaled in contributed to his selection as Alberta’s 2018 Open Male Athlete of the Year.”
2018 Legacy
March – Canmore ParaNordic star Mark Arendz made national history at the PyeongChang Games, winning gold, two silver and three bronze medals in cross-country skiing and biathlon events over nine days – the most medals any Canadian athlete has won at a single Paralympic Winter Games.
Arendz was named Canada’s closing ceremony flag bearer at the Games.
April – To celebrate Arendz’s PyeongChang success, Prince Edward Island honoured its native son by renaming Brookvale Provincial Park to the Mark Arendz Provincial Ski Park at Brookvale.
July – Led by Arendz, the Canada Day parade in Canmore was marshaled by Paralymic and Olympic athletes.
November - Arendz won Best Male Athlete at the Canadian Paralympic Sports Awards.
