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Kanye West Headlined the Toronto 2015 Pan Am Games Closing Ceremonies + PHOTOS

release by TO2015
Kanye West  ©  Ivan Rupes
July 27, 2015 (Toronto, ON) – The excitement of the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am Games reached a final crescendo tonight as nearly 40,000 people — athletes, coaches, volunteers, officials and very loud, enthusiastic and dancing Games supporters — gathered for one last party: the Pan Am Closing Ceremony.

Full house with 40,000 people with the flags of all the participating countries  ©  Ivan Rupes

The ceremony’s theme, unity through diversity, reflected the enthusiasm and camaraderie of the Games, as well as the cultural pride of the 41 participating countries and territories. Live Nation, the Official Live Music Partner for the Games, and B5CProductions, a joint venture involving Toronto-based BaAM Productions and FiveCurrents, developed the production.

Fireworks  ©  Ivan Rupes

During the ceremony, Toronto-born singer Serena Ryder performed “Together We Are One,” the official song of the TORONTO 2015 Games, and international superstars Kanye West and Pitbull also performed.

Team Canada  ©  Ivan Rupes

The highly successful Games were embraced by the people of Toronto and the Greater Golden Horseshoe region, with 1.05 million tickets sold, making for a fun and celebratory atmosphere as athletes gave it their all in 36 sports.

Mounties taking down the Pan Am and the Olympic flags  ©  Ivan Rupes

After so many thrilling performances and wonderful memories, the audience applauded as the Games cauldron was extinguished, signaling the official closing of the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am Games. As the flame faded, the internationally acclaimed Hamilton Children’s Choir sang “Shine Your Light.” Four years from now, the Pan Am cauldron will be lit in Lima, Peru, Host City of the 2019 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games.

Saad Rafi , TO2015 CEO, addresses the crowd  ©  Ivan Rupes

“Tonight was more than a Closing Ceremony. It was a victory celebration — your victory celebration — all of you. At these Games, hope won out, optimism prevailed and community spirit carried the day,” said Saäd Rafi, TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games Organizing Committee (TO2015) chief executive officer. “To the athletes and coaches, thank you for the courage, athleticism and thrilling moments. We built you podiums, but you lifted us a little higher.”

Handing over of the Pan American Sports Organization (PASO) flag flag (l-r) John Tory (Toronto Mayor), Ivar Sisniega (PASO First vice president), Luis Castañeda (Mayor of Lima)  ©  Ivan Rupes

There is much more world-class sport competition in store for the Greater Toronto Area this summer. The largest Parapan Am Games ever begins Friday, August 7, and runs through Saturday, August 15. All 15 sports are Paralympic qualifiers for Rio 2016. Don’t miss these fierce competitors, and buy your tickets now at TORONTO2015.org/tickets.

Young Peruvian boy and his alpaca coming down from the mountain  ©  Ivan Rupes




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