Buenos Aires, Argentina hosted the first Pan American Games in 1951. The inaugural Games realized the decades-long dream of an Olympic-style event that would bring the nations of the Americas together.
The number of countries attending the Games has grown from 22 to 42 and the number of athletes has more than tripled.
In 1999, Mexico City staged the first Parapan American Games. Like the Paralympics, the Parapan Am Games created more opportunities to achieve athletic excellence.
The National Olympic Committees of all participating countries make up the Pan American Sports Organization (PASO) 
, which coordinates the Games.
The Pan American Sports Organization (PASO) governs the Games. Its membership is the National Olympic Committees of the 42 countries which participate in the Games.
The PASO logo reflects the inclusive spirit of the Games. It contains colours from each member nation’s flag and its motto, "America, Espirito, Sport , Fraternité" combines Spanish, Portuguese, English and French – the Americas' four official languages.
Guadalajara, Mexico is hosting the 2011 Pan American Games October 14 - 28, 2011 and the 2011 Parapan American Games November 12-20, 2011, leading up to the 2012 London Summer Olympic Games.
On October 2, 2008, the bid to host the Toronto 2015 Pan American and Parapan American Games was launched. The province led the year-long effort, in partnership with federal and municipal governments, plus the Canadian Olympic and Canadian Paralympic Committees.
Former Ontario Premier David Peterson chaired the Bid Committee, which faced competing bids from Bogotá, Colombia and Lima, Peru, in the drive to host the Games.
On November 6, 2009 the 42 members of the Pan American Sport Organization (PASO) selected Toronto and the surrounding Greater Golden Horseshoe region to host this world-class multi-sport event . The decision was made in Guadalajara, Mexico.
The Toronto 2015 Pan American Games will be held July 10-26, 2015 and the Parapan Am Games August 7-14, 2015.
* Trademarks of the Toronto Organizing Committee for the 2015 Pan American and Parapan American Games
