An Australian field hockey player was so set on playing in the 2024 Paris Olympics, he cut off part of an injured finger rather than get surgery, heal it and miss the event.
Matt Dawson, 30, hurt his right ring finger in practice a couple of weeks ago when an opposing player in an intrasquad match went to move the ball.
“Unfortunately, my stick and hand [were] in the end of his swing zone,” he told the Parlez Vous Hockey podcast. He later passed out in the locker room from pain.
Healing the finger fully would have taken four to six months, with no guarantee that proper function would return. Yet taking the top off just below the top knuckle let him head to Paris for the Olympics.
“I’m definitely closer to the end of my career than the start — and, who knows, this could be my last [Olympics]. If I felt like I could still perform at my best, then that’s what I was going to do. If taking the top of my finger was the price I had to pay, then that’s something I have to do,” Dawson said on the podcast.
The amputation has not significantly hurt Dawson’s ability on the field.
“I might have lost a little bit of strength in the right hand, but really, I haven’t noticed it too much at all. I’m feeling quite comfortable out there and feeling like I can perform my best,” Dawson told Business Insider.
The Australian field hockey team, called the Kookaburras for a bird native to the country, won silver at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Dawson played then and at 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games.
“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,” coach Colin Batch told Australia’s 7News.
The 2024 Paris Olympics begin Friday, with the Kookaburras set to play their first game against Argentina Saturday.
• Brad Matthews can be reached at bmatthews@washingtontimes.com.
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