Australian field hockey player Matt Dawson has chosen to amputate a finger to ensure his participation in the 2024 Paris Olympics. Dawson, 30, sustained the injury during a training session in Perth and initially feared his Olympic aspirations were over.
After consulting with a plastic surgeon, Dawson opted for amputation, which allows for a quicker recovery compared to the prolonged rehabilitation required if he had chosen to keep the finger. Despite the extreme measure, Dawson is determined to compete in his third Olympics, having previously won gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and silver at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Dawson will rejoin his team, the Kookaburras, for their match against Argentina just 16 days after the injury. Team captain Aran Zalewski and coach Colin Batch have both praised Dawson’s commitment, acknowledging the sacrifices he’s made for his Olympic dream.
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