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| Counting down the days to the Pan Am Games in Nathan Philip Square |
The 2015 Pan Am games took place in July, 2015 while the Para Pan Am games will be finished tomorrow.
It was the largest international sporting event Toronto has ever hosted!
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| Panamania Fever of the games in Toronto! |
Toronto bid the game in 2009 and after more than six years of planning, building and organizing, the games were finally here.
The Pan Am games brought together over seven thousand athletes competing in fifty- one sports.
Panamania was here!
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| Pachi, the Pan Am mascot, perching on a street corner near Dundas Square in downtown Toronto |
Before the games started, there were both negative and positive feelings about the games.
Many Torontonians felt excited and pride ready to welcome visitors and athletes from around the Americas. However, there were also many negative talks about the huge cost and the inconveniences brought by the games.
For example - the HOV lanes (High Occupancy Vehicle) - special driving lanes reserved on major highways for game vehicles, taxis, vehicles with three or more people were in effect during the Pan Am games.
With one less lane on the highways, it has caused traffic backup and much frustration among drivers.
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| People of Toronto and visitors to the city enjoying the festivities in the square |
But as the opening day of the games drew closer, anticipation started to build and excitement filled the air in the city!
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| Nathan Philip Square - the hub of musical and cultural performances during the Pan Am games, Toronto |
The games organizers, together with the City of Toronto and the province of Ontario collaborated and brought to the city of Toronto thirty five days for music, performances and cultural events in various parts of the Greater Toronto Area!
There was no better place to hang out than the Nathan Philip Square during the Pan Am games!
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| Soaking up the atmosphere - watching fireworks at City Hall, Toronto |
There was something every night at the Square!
People sitting, talking; visitors strolling around; families with kids, moms, dads, grandparents soaking up the festive and celebratory atmosphere!
It was fantastic being a part of this wonderful experience!
R.T.
Soaking up the Pan Am Games Atmosphere
Nathan Philips Square - The Pan Am Square
Toronto, Ontario
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