"Sion wasn't the loser; Sion was a victim," Denis Oswald, a member of the Swiss delegation, told reporters.

Gallatin's family had great influence in Switzerland, and many family members held distinguished positions in the magistracy, military, and in Swiss delegations in foreign armies.

("Four years ago, the Swiss delegation had a cheese sponsor," she recalls, "and one of the outfits was made to look like yellow cheese with holes in it.")

A protest by the Swiss delegation was rejected.

For example, the head of the Swiss delegation at the NNSC in Korea (see below) had a rank of major general.

At the running order draw on 23 March, Switzerland was chosen as a "wildcard", allowing the Swiss delegation to select the country's draw in the semi-final.

"In Italy, they treated us like kings," said Michael Jaun, a Schangnau cheese maker who was part of the Swiss delegation.

Rappard was a member of various Swiss diplomatic missions including service with the Swiss delegation to the peace conference in France that ended the First World War.

He was also a member of a Swiss delegation sent to emperor Maximilian in 1508 and as a captain in the battle of Novara in 1513.

The Swiss delegation is headed by Mrs Brigitta Gadient.