July 27, 2015
The TORONTO 2015 Pan American Games have officially closed and the City of Toronto would like to thank residents, businesses and the volunteers for warmly welcoming the Games participants, their families and spectators. As the Host City of these Games, Toronto also offers congratulations to all the athletes who competed over the past weeks – whether they won medals, set records or gave it their best effort – their training, commitment and sacrifice was evident as they gave their all in these Games.
“Toronto’s Games have come to a close, but its legacy will live on for generations,” said Mayor John Tory. “We are proud to have hosted the world’s third largest international multi-sport Games and look forward to welcoming you again. The Games' legacy has reached beyond sport with the development of new projects like Corktown Commons, home to the Athletes' Village, the revitalized waterfront and the Union-Pearson express to the airport. The spirit of the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am Games will live on through the countless memories that were made across our diverse city and region.”
The Games brought together over 6,000 athletes from Latin America, South America, the Caribbean and North America to compete in 36 Pan Am sports at venues across the city and the Greater Toronto Area. Residents and visitors turned out in high numbers to cheer on these elite athletes and enjoy other aspects of the Games.
The City would like to congratulate all of the athletes who competed in the Games. The Toronto Games was Canada's most successful Pan Am Games to date, with Team Canada winning at total of 217 medals. Toronto is very proud of the efforts of all of Team Canada's athletes and wishes them luck for future competitions.
The Games also drew a large, impressive volunteer contribution, with over 23,000 volunteers serving as ambassadors at the Games venues, CIBC Pan Am/Parapan Am Athletes’ Village, cultural events, throughout various public transit networks, official functions, the Opening and Closing Ceremonies and other locations across the Games footprint.
"The volunteers were the backbone of these Games and critical to their overall success," said Mayor Tory. "I'm especially proud of every resident who answered the call to welcome the Americas to our city.”
Nathan Phillips Square was a central hub during the Games where PANAMANIA Live attracted thousands of people each evening with headlining live music, dance and other performances, victory celebrations and nightly fireworks. Artist, cultural and musical celebrations also took place in every corner of the city, including at CIBC Pan Am Park, the Distillery District, Fort York, Habourfront Centre, the Pan Am Path and numerous Toronto Public Library branches and community recreation centres.
The Parapan Am Games will kick off on Friday, August 7 with the Opening Ceremony at the CIBC Pan Am/Parapan Am Athletics Stadium. This will be the largest Parapan Am Games ever, with about 1,600 athletes competing in 15 sports from August 7 to 15. The Closing Ceremony of the Parapan Am Games will take place on Saturday, August 15 at Nathan Phillips Square.
PANAMANIA Live will continue during the Parapan Am Games at Nathan Phillips Square starting on August 7, featuring free daily musical and other performances, victory celebrations and nightly fireworks.
Toronto is Canada's largest city, the fourth largest in North America, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. It is a global centre for business, finance, arts and culture and is consistently ranked one of the world's most livable cities. Toronto is proud to be the Host City for the 2015 Pan American and Parapan American Games. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can visit
http://www.toronto.ca, call 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or follow us @TorontoComms.
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