TORONTO 2015 Pan Am Games End on a High Note

Closing Ceremony Serves as Victory Celebration for Historic Games

TORONTO, July 26, 2015 /PRNewswire/ - 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.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150727/245370)

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 B5C Productions, a joint venture involving Toronto-based BaAM Productions and FiveCurrents, developed the production.

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.

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.

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.

"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."

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.

SOURCE Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games