A pep rally is being held today at 4 p.m. in front of Hamilton City Hall to cheer on area athletes who will be competing in the children's international games.

Teams from Ancaster, Dundas, Stoney Creek and Hamilton will be introduced and a number of local celebrities will extend their best wishes to the local athletes of the International Children's Games Millennium Festival.

During the International Children's Games Millennium Festival, July 1-7, the City of Hamilton and McMaster University will play host to 2,200 athlete's aged 12 to 15, from 77 cities representing 32 countries from around the world.

Athletes will compete in nine sports, enjoy a three-day cultural festival, participate in the Festival Parade, have the opportunity to visit the Olympic Museum – all the way from Lausanne, Switzerland – and celebrate Canada Day at a spectacular opening ceremonies at Copps Coliseum.