Sweaty palms, racing heart, blood pumping through the veins.  Only 60 minutes to prove yourself and wipe the competition to the floor. Winner takes all, no prizes for runners up.  These days, interviews are a fraught process, brutally competitive and require nerves of steel. Many of these emotions are also experienced by athletes before entering a big competition.     Sports psychologists have been employed by world class athletes since the1988 Olympics, to help them manage the intense pressure that comes with competing in world championships.    In this article we will look at some of the mental exercises used by elite athletes to ensure they excel in their field and win that coveted gold medal.