Lima, Peru, August 20, 2012 – The Peruvian Volleyball Federation began developing a beach volleyball programme just two years ago. Now, at the 2012 FIVB Beach Volleyball Swatch Junior World Championships in Halifax, which will take place from August 29 to September 2, Peru will introduce two pairs for the first time: Vivian Baella and Sandra Chumacero, and Diego Diaz and Japon Vargas.The women's duo of Baella and Chumacero are both Olympic medalists in volleyball from the Youth Olympics Games in Singapore, 2010. They separately played several stages of the South American beach volleyball circuit between 2011 and 2012, and will debut together in Halifax.Baella is one of Peru’s most popular athletes, having played in three volleyball World Championships (Youth: Mexico 2007 – Junior: Thailand 2009 and Peru 2011)."After playing the Junior World CHampionships in 2011, I took the decision to play beach volleyball,” said Baella. “It's a new experience not only for me but also for Peruvian sport; because it is a relatively new discipline in our country."A year ago, when I played my first South American beach volleyball tournament in Brazil, the idea of playing a World Championship seemed so far away and now I do not believe in just over a week I will play my first beach volleyball World Championship. I'm so excited!"The men's team of Diaz and Vargas have been participating in beach volleyball tournaments for the past two seasons.Diaz is one of the most experienced beach volleyball players in the category."We are proud to represent our country in a world championship, which is the dream of every athlete on the national team,” he said. “We come with all the desire to give the best of us and show that the work we have done is on the right track."Rosa Garcia, the head of the Peruvian Volleyball Federation beach volleyball programme and Olympic medalist in volleyball in Seoul, 1988, said: "This is a reflection of the work some years ago we started with the Peruvian Volleyball Federation. I'm sure our pairings will represent us with great dedication and professionalism."South American representatives in the FIVB Beach Volleyball SWATCH Junior World Championships are Brazil, Venezuela and Peru in the women’s category and Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Venezuela and Peru in the men’s. Thirty-two pairs seek the world title, which is held by Ukraine in the men's competition and Switzerland in the women’s.