The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Guadalajara

Toronto was on Friday named as the host city of the 2015 Pan-American Games, seeing off rival bids from Lima and Bogota.

"The city that will assume the responsibility for the 2015 Pan- American Games ist.Toronto," announced Mario Vazquez Rana, the president of the Pan-American Sports Organisation (Odepa).

Toronto won in the first round of voting with 33 votes. Lima received 11 votes while Bogota had seven.

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper described the vote as an important day for the country which will also host the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

"This is an exciting day for all Canadians. We are all looking forward to welcoming the Games in 2015," he said in a statement released in Quebec.

"Canadians love sports and we are known for our hospitality, an unbeatable combination for successful Games."