Kanye West to headline Pan American Games closing ceremony

Kanye West has been chosen as the headlining act at the closing ceremony of the upcoming Pan American Games in Canada.

The Stronger hitmaker will take to the stage at the Rogers Center in downtown Toronto on 26 July (15), marking the end of 20 days of competition between athletes from the Americas and the Caribbean.

Also joining West at the ceremony will be rapper Pitbull and Toronto native Serena Ryder.

While some critics have taken to social media to share their outrage at organizers for not recruiting Canadian artists for the event, Saad Rafi, chief executive of the Toronto host committee, defended the decision, noting the Games are essentially rooted in unity with citizens from all nations.

He tells Canadian newspaper The National Post, "I wouldn't actually call Pitbull and Kanye West American artists. These are international artists, and the world has embraced these artists. You don't sell billions of records and billions of views without appealing across a broad, broad spectrum."

The 2015 Pan American Games kicked off on 10 July (15).