Cut off finger to go to Olympics Australian national team player’s ‘big decision’

Matthew Dawson, who decided to amputate a broken finger to compete in the Olympics.

The story of an Australian national team player who had part of his injured finger amputated in order to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics has been reported.

According to ABC News and other sources on the 24th (local time), Australian national men’s hockey player Matthew Dawson (30) suffered a fracture in his ring finger after being hit by a hockey stick during a recent training match. He

had to wear a cast on his finger for treatment, but if he had worn a cast, he would not be able to hold the hockey stick, which could have prevented him from competing in this year’s Olympics.

Dawson’s doctor advised that he could compete within 10 days if he had the upper part of his finger amputated, so he decided to amputate his finger and compete in the Olympics.

Dawson told the media, “After discussing with the doctor, I concluded that amputation would be better, not only for the Olympics but also for my life after that,” and “the best option was to amputate the upper part of my finger. I think it’s a great challenge.”

Dawson said that he called his wife and told her about the decision to amputate his finger. His wife tried to dissuade him from making a hasty decision, but she soon followed her husband’s wishes.

“There are many people around me who have lost something greater than losing part of a finger,” Dawson said. “I’m glad I have a little finger left. I’m actually lucky because I’m excited about the Olympics.” Colin Batch, the head coach of the Australian men’s hockey team, told the New York Post, “Dawson’s decision was incredibly selfless,” and “He could have chosen a cast, but he had the tip of his finger amputated and is now back training.” Dawson is the player who won a silver medal for Australia at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. He was hit in the eye by a hockey stick in 2018 and almost lost his eyesight, but he is set to compete in a total of three Olympics, including this Paris Olympics. 안전놀이터