Representing Team Ontario in Medicine Hat, the Simcoe County athlete brought home silver, bronze and memories to last a lifetime.
This month, we wanted to recognize the incredible accomplishments of our friend and past client, Sarah Lampi, who recently represented Team Ontario at the Special Olympics Canada Summer Games in Medicine Hat, Alberta.
Travelling to Medicine Hat marked the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Sarah. After months of preparation, the Simcoe County track athlete was proud to join Team Ontario and compete on the national stage.
For Sarah, the national games were about far more than just athletic events. They were a vibrant celebration of community and spirit. The opening ceremonies in a packed arena set a thrilling tone, highlighted by the arrival of the Flame of Hope before the cauldron was lit amid a flurry of sparks, creating one of Sarah’s favourite moments of the experience.
As drumming and lively performances filled the arena, Sarah marched alongside more than 400 Team Ontario athletes in matching uniforms, leaving her energized for the competitions ahead.
Competing in javelin, shot put and her favourite event, the 400-metre race, Sarah delivered outstanding performances across the board. She captured a silver medal in javelin and a bronze medal in the 400-metre event while achieving personal bests in all of her competitions, including a remarkable 400-metre time of 2:45.46.
Standing on the podium was a proud moment for Sarah, who hopes to win a gold medal in the future. However, her journey began long before she arrived in Medicine Hat. Sarah spent months training across Barrie and Midland, and when the summer heat forced afternoon practices to be cancelled, she adapted without hesitation. She ran laps around her neighbourhood early in the morning or later in the evening when the temperature cooled.
Her drive came from a personal philosophy rooted in determination:
“I just keep on pushing myself,” she explained, adding, “It’s more fun and I get more exercise.”
Sarah Lampi
Beyond the athletic competition, one of the greatest highlights of the trip was the meaningful relationships Sarah formed. Whether spending time with teammates, crafting colourful friendship hair ties from string or sharing jokes with fellow athletes, she embraced every opportunity to connect.
Sarah even bonded with another athlete named Sarah from Newfoundland. They shared a laugh as spectators cheered for “Sarah,” regardless of which province was competing. When asked about her favourite memory from the entire experience, Sarah answered without hesitation: “Making more friends.”
Supported by her coaches and her parents, who watched from the crowd, Sarah had many people cheering her on throughout the experience. That encouragement extended throughout her neighbourhood, where neighbours would cheer from their porches as she trained. When Sarah returned home, she discovered that a neighbour had decorated their porch with Olympic-themed decorations to celebrate her achievements.
For anyone who feels nervous about trying something new, Sarah offers simple and heartfelt advice:
“Don’t be scared. Don’t be nervous. Don’t be afraid.”
Sarah Lampi
Sarah is already looking toward her next goal. She plans to continue training, improve her running time and work toward earning a place on Team Canada for the Special Olympics World Games in Chile.
From her dedicated training at home to standing proudly on the national podium, Sarah has shown what can happen when determination, community support and a willingness to try come together.
We are incredibly proud to celebrate her accomplishments and cannot wait to see where her journey takes her next.
