Kanye West to headline Pan American Games closing ceremony

Toronto: 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 Centre in downtown Toronto on July 26, marking the end of 20 days of competition between athletes from the Americas and the Caribbean, reported the National Post.

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 organisers 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.

"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," he said.

The 2015 Pan American Games kicked off on July 10.