The first group will contain those who could earn a podium finish, while the second features top young sportsmen and women who have the potential to do well at Rio 2016 but who are more realistic medal hopes for the Games in the Japanese capital Tokyo in 2020.

Athletes in the third selection category are not expected to challenge for medal positions but the Swiss Olympic Association (SOC) still hope they can at least achieve personal bests during their respective events.

“These athletes should aim for a personal best on the one hand in Rio,” Stöckli said.

“At the same time they are there to be Olympians, as proud ambassadors who will later bear the Olympic values in society.”

As well as announcing the selection criteria, Stöckli estimates his team will be made up of at least 100 athletes, around the same mark as London 2012, where they sent 103 athletes, competing n 25 sports.

The team for the event will be selected by Stöckli along with SOC President Jörg Schild and vice-president Stephan Netzle between March and June next year, with the final delegation set to be revealed on July 19.

Switzerland already have one athlete qualified as Nicola Spirig will be in Rio de Janeiro to defend her women’s Olympic triathlon title she won at London 2012.

Spirig also won gold at the inaugural European Games in Baku in June and is one of Switzerland’s best hopes for Rio 2016.

She was one of only two London 2012 gold medallists for her nation, the other going to equestrian star Steve Guerdat in show jumping.

Switzerland, who have sent athletes to every Games since 1896, have won a total of 47 Olympic golds in an overall haul of 185 medals, which puts them in 25th place on the overall table.