Matthew Dawson with his offspring and the Olympic ticket. © Social Media

Sacrifice for the Olympics: Athlete has fingertip amputated

Australian hockey player Matthew Dawson has had part of a finger amputated so he can take part in the Olympic Games in Paris.

July 19, 2024

From: dpa

The 30-year-old had broken the ring finger of his right hand while preparing for the games, as broadcaster 7News reported. Doctors gave him the choice of taking a break from sport and letting the fracture heal - or amputating the tip of the finger.

"I didn't have much time to make the decision," said Dawson. His wife advised him to think it through carefully and not to act hastily. "But I think I had all the information I needed to make a decision - not only about playing in Paris, but also about life afterward and my health."

The coach can hardly believe it

Dawson had already competed with the team at the Olympics: The Kookaburras won the silver medal in Tokyo in 2020. He was also there in Rio de Janeiro, where Australia finished sixth in 2016.

The coach of the Kookaburras, as the Australian men's national hockey team is called, was impressed. "That's not something a coach can decide for a player," said Colin Batch. "Full marks to Matt. He's obviously determined to play in Paris." He himself is not sure whether he would have made the same decision, but he thinks his player's effort was great.