Brazil's Olympic team have turned to the ancient art of walking on hot coals to help them prepare for next month's Olympic Games in Sydney.

Dozens of athletes have been volunteering for the hot hike after a psychologist said the mind-over-matter experience would help them beat their sporting opponents. Top Brazilian psychologist, Roberto Shinyashiki, organised a week-long motivational course for the athletes and their coaches.

He advised the sporting stars to stroll on hot coals saying it would boost their mental state and help them become more confident. "Only someone with lots of self-confidence and strong motivation would dare to do this experiment," said Shinyashiki.