Paris 2024: Australia's Matt Dawson undergoes finger amputation to make Olympic Games - ‘Didn’t have much time’
Updated 22/07/2024 at 12:50 GMT+1
Matt Dawson made the tough call to have part of his right finger amputated in order to be ready for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The 30-year-old was part of the Australia team which earned a silver medal at Tokyo 2020, and has gone the extra mile to compete in the French capital. Dawson is no stranger to extreme injuries after almost losing an eye after being struck by a hockey stick.
Tokyo 2020 - Belgium vs Australia - Hockey Men's Gold Medal - Olympic Highlights
Video credit: TNT Sports
Matt Dawson has had part of his finger amputated to ensure he can compete at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
The Australian field hockey player broke the ring finger on his right hand and had a choice: to amputate it or let it heal.
After being given that choice by doctors, the Tokyo 2020 silver medallist faced a race against time and decided to undergo the amputation.
“I made an informed decision with the plastic surgeon at the time, not only for the opportunity to play in Paris but for life after as well,” Dawson told 7NEWS.
“The best option was for me to take the top of my finger off. It’s a bit of a change at the moment and an exciting challenge, I guess.
“I didn’t have much time to make the decision. I had made the decision and then I called my wife, and she said, ‘I don’t want you to make a rash decision, but I had all the information I needed to make the decision not for Paris but for life after. Hopefully, I won’t take too long to get back to form.
“There are plenty of other issues and other people going on with other stuff in their lives that are bigger than losing a finger, so I’m very fortunate that it’s just a little bit of my finger."
His commitment to the Olympic cause was praised by coach Colin Batch and supported Dawson’s brave decision.
"The best way of recovering from it was to just chop the end of the finger off,” he added.
"So that’s what he decided to do. It’s not something a coach can decide for a player.
"Full marks to Matt. Obviously, he’s really committed to playing in Paris. I’m not sure I would have done it, but he’s done it, so great."
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The hockey tournament begins on July 27 with Australia placed in a group alongside Belgium, India, Argentina, New Zealand and Ireland.
The top four teams in Groups A and Group B will progress into the quarter-finals, ahead of the semi-finals and gold and bronze medal matches.
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discovery+ is the streaming home of the Olympic Games, and the only place you can watch every moment of Paris 2024 this summer.
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