09/03/2026
Sarnia - The Observer
Published Aug 30, 2026 2 minute read
Tyler Kula
Sarnia athletes celebrated for Special Olympics performance
Winning national gold in standing long jump was far from a given when Chris Carpeneto sized up his Special Olympics competition in Alberta recently.
“It was tricky,” said the Sarnia athlete, one of four locals who competed and took home hardware from the Medicine Hat games Aug. 11-15.
“A lot of people were stronger and taller than I was,” said Carpeneto, who also won bronze in javelin.
His edge in standing long jump was sticking the landing, he said.
“I knew how to jump and land, feet in the sand perfectly. I think my landing got me the gold.”
Fellow athletics competitor Joanna Edwards won four medals: golds in 4×100 metre relay and shot put, and bronzes in the 100m dash and running long jump.
Ten-pin bowlers Angela Sauve and Noah Pyke also won medals, with Sauve earning bronze in doubles, and gold in team competition. Pyke earned gold in singles, bronze in doubles, and gold in his all-event division.
All four athletes were feted by the Sarnia-Lambton community Saturday, during an event where they were presented with certificates and plaques for their achievements.
“They’ve worked hard and we are so proud of them,” said Tana Manchester, community co-ordinator for the Special Olympics community council in Sarnia that started in 2017.
Sarnia Special Olympics athletes competed at provincials for the first time earlier this year, earning the right to represent Ontario at nationals, Manchester said.
“We probably have close to 200 registered athletes right now” and run programs year-round, she said
Getting to this stage is “awesome,” she said.
“And I just see it expanding.”
Key is community support, she said, thanking volunteers, coaches, families, and people who’ve helped with donations.
“Because of the great community we have, (the athletes) have these opportunities to excel in their sports . . . (and) we are super proud,” she said.
Sauve called the experience exciting, amazing, and said she practiced hard in the lead-up.
Being celebrated in the community is an honour, said Edwards, adding the competition “was unreal,” she did her best, and “had a blast.”
Pyke credited organizers with running a smooth event, called the trip a great experience, said it feels good to return victorious, and that he’s honoured by the recognition he’s received.
“I definitely had some struggles towards the end there, especially on my singles,” he said. “But I pulled through, got my gold.”
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