OLYMPIC legend Sir Mark Todd believes it will be beyond his Brazilian eventing team to medal at the forthcoming Rio games.

Todd, who will be competing at the Olympics with New Zealand, is the host nation’s equestrian team’s technical advisor.

He said: “If they can get there in the right kind of shape, medal prospects might be a bit too much to aim for but I think they will be very happy if they all perform well,” the 60-year-old told the Advertiser “Eventing is very much a minor sport in Brazil although show jumping is very strong. They are a very enthusiastic bunch. It will be a great thrill for them and the home country if they could pull off a good performance.”

Brazil have entered an eventing team because, as host nation, they do not have to qualify, unlike the other countries taking part.

Todd was first selected for the Olympics in 1980 but did not attend because New Zealand boycotted the Moscow games.

He then returned in 1984 for the Los Angeles Olympics and that is where he won his first gold when he was 28-years-old.

Since that maiden victory, the Kiwi superstar has gone on to win five Olympic medals, including a bronze in London, across a hugely successful career that has spanned over two decades.

That experience is why he has been tasked with advising the home nation’s squad, which is made up of Carlos Parro, Marcio Appel, Marcio Carvalho Jorge, Ruy Leme da Fonseca and Nilson Moreira da Silva in reserve.

Appel and Carvalho Jorge showed early promise when they finished d first and second at the Aquece Rio Olympic Test Event last year.

Parro, who is currently based in Shrewsbury, is a rider who most recently finished 18th in the Barbury Castle CIC3* in July.

The team’s preparation has since been hampered by a series of injuries to their horses, leaving them slightly thin on the ground.

Todd added: “The Brazilian team are okay. We have had a very unfortunate thing where we have lost some good horses. One horse broke its fetlock in a competition and a couple of other horses have had injuries.”