An Australian Olympian has amputated part of his finger for a shot at gold at Paris 2024.
Matt Dawson, 30, saw his Olympics hopes plunged into doubt after breaking the ring finger on his right hand ahead of the Games.
The hockey player was preparing for his third Olympics and had his sights set on a gold medal after taking home silver from Tokyo 2020.
But the injury threatened to rule him out of the upcoming event, with doctors advising him to put the finger in a cast and wait for it to recover or have the top cut off.
Dawson opted for the latter, undergoing surgery last week ahead of the Australian team’s trip to France for the Olympics.
‘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,’ he told Channel Seven in Australia as he boarded the plane to Paris.
‘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.
‘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.
‘Hopefully, I can not take too long to get back to form.’
Back in 2018, Dawson nearly lost an eye after being hit by a hockey stick, so he is no stranger to extreme injuries.
Australia coach Colin Batch praised Dawson for his show of commitment but admitted he’s ‘not sure’ he would have done the same.
‘It’s not something a coach can decide for a player,’ said Batch, who won the World Cup with Australia and has been in charge of the national team since 2016.
‘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.
‘He’s back in training now and he’s certainly set the bar high for anyone getting a broken finger in the future.’
The Australia men’s hockey team came agonisingly close to gold at the Tokyo Olympics, losing to Belgium in a penalty shootout in the final.
They begin their 2024 Olympics campaign on July 27 against 2016 champions Argentina.
Dawson could reach 150 caps for Australia in Paris as the two-time Olympian and son of former cricketer Trish Dawson looks to claim a gold medal.
The opening ceremony for the Paris 2024 Olympics takes place on July 26. USA were the most successful team in Tokyo, finishing with 113 medals and 39 golds.
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