ABOVE: Global News’ Peter Kim reports on the mixed reactions to Kanye West headlining the closing ceremony of the Pan Am Games.
TORONTO — American rap superstar Kanye West will be the headline performer at the closing ceremony of the Pan Am Games, officials announced Wednesday.
Also coming to perform at the July 26 event at Rogers Centre is Miami-born rapper Pitbull.
Toronto singer Serena Ryder, who recorded the official 2015 Pan Am Games anthem “Together We Are One,” will open the musical portion of the closing ceremony.
The news will surely cause a surge in ticket sales. As of Wednesday morning, tickets for the closing ceremony were still available on the Pan Am Games website.
LIVE UPDATES: Closing ceremony
West, 38, was in Canada last week for a performance at the Ottawa Bluesfest. The controversial rapper, who is expecting his second child with reality TV star Kim Kardashian, is one of the best-selling artists of all time and has collected 21 Grammys.
News of West’s Pan Am appearance was leaked earlier in the day by Canadian NBA player Anthony Bennett.
Luis Castañeda, mayor of Lima, Peru — host city for the 2019 Pan Am Games — is expected to be on hand to receive the Pan Am flag.
The closing ceremony for the 2011 Pan Am Games in Guadalajara, Mexico featured a performance by Ricky Martin. In honour of Canada being the next host nation, there were also performances by Drake, Nickelback and Three Days Grace.
Quebec’s Florence K performed the Canadian national anthem.
The 2015 Pan Am Games opening ceremony on July 10 featured Montreal-based Cirque du Soleil, which is majority-owned by U.S. company TPG Capital and China’s Fosun.
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