Phone cameras worked overtime at the Pan Am Village when a very enthusiastic VIP breezed into the well-guarded complex to share the final morning of the games with Canadian athletes and officials.

A self-confessed avid sports fan, Canada’s Governor General David Johnson toured the village in Guadalajara’s western suburbs and chatted and posed for photos with the Canadian delegation.

“He’s a cool guy, really friendly,” judo bronze medallist Alexandre Emond said of the 70-year-old law professor and author, the 28th federal viceregal representative of Queen Elizabeth II.

Johnson reveled in the camaraderie and bonhomie.

“It’s so uplifting to be with these great young people,” he said.  “Their commitment, discipline and constant effort is something that carries on beyond their particular sport to other walks of life, and that’s so very important.”

Sporting a Canada team jacket, Johnson beamed from ear to ear as he high-fived the Canadian medallists who had stayed in Guadalajara to participate in the closing ceremony.

Then everyone sang “O Canada” in the forecourt of the Canadian digs.

“It was nice to hear Canadians  singing the anthem in French and English at the same time,” commented Patrick Courcelles of the Canadian Consulate in Guadalajara.

Johnson sat down with athletes and volunteers for lunch in village’s massive dining tent and took time to talk the Guadalajara Reporter, paying a special tribute to the hosts of the event.

“The whole spirit of these games has been at a very high level. The Mexican people have been very gracious and warm.”

The sentiment was endorsed by many of the Canadian athletes.

“The people here have been fantastic. They’ve done everything to help us. We’ve really been made to feel at home,” said Mary Spencer, the women’s 75-kilogram boxing gold medallist, who was chosen to carry the Canadian flag at the closing ceremony.  The 26-year-old from Windsor, Ontario said she was thrilled to hear Mexican fans chanting her name during her final bout.

A day earlier Johnson handed out silver medals to the Canadian men’s hockey team. After his visit to the village, he was whisked off to the other side of Guadalajara to see Canada cause one of the upsets of the games by beating Argentina’s Pumas in the final of the rugby sevens. He later attended the closing ceremony.

Far from draining local economies, the money invested in international multi-sport events is well spent, the governor general told the Reporter.

“They contribute so much toward a culture of a country like Canada to develop that sense of aspiration in all people.”

Johnson said games like the Pan Ams can have even wider positive consequences.

“I think sport is a wonderful initiative in diplomacy. People who play together get along together.”

While Canadian Olympic Committee officers were tight-lipped on any possible Toronto bid for the 2024 Olympics, Johnson was more forthcoming.

“2024 is certainly under discussion. I think the success of the 2015 Pan American Games will determine whether Toronto is prepared to make a bid,” he said.