Lausanne, January 7, 2009 – The FIVB has unveiled a dynamic "gladiator-style" visual for the 2009 SWATCH FIVB World Tour.

The innovative visual brilliantly encapsulates the drama, excitement and powerful image of Beach Volleyball by focusing on two of the stars of the sport captured in spectacular action poses in front of a fan-packed coliseum.

The visual was created after invaluable input from SWATCH and feedback from officials, federations, promoters, players and sponsors and is now ready for customization and implementation in the effective promotion of SWATCH FIVB World Tour events.

Local landmarks and local heroes will appear in the visual for individual Open and Grand Slam tournaments in the cities hosting the SWATCH FIVB World Tour.

The 2009 SWATCH FIVB World Tour is set to have total prize money of US$7.7 million.

The highlight of the year will be the US$1 million SWATCH FIVB Men's and Women’s World Championships presented by ConocoPhillips through June 25 to July 5.

To date, there are expected to be a total of 18 women's tournaments and 15 men's tournaments in 2009.

The SWATCH FIVB World Tour curtain-raiser is scheduled to be a double-gender event in Brazil’s capital city of Brasilia through April 14-19.