Full usage - Hockey player amputates parts of his finger for Olympics
At first glance, it looks like the plan of a madman. But Australian hockey player Matthew Dawson is of sound mind. In order to participate in the Olympics in Paris, the 30-year-old had his index finger of his right hand amputated. It all started when Matthew Dawson broke the ring finger of his right hand. This is tragic, especially for a top-tier athlete who wants to participate in the most important sporting event in the world in a few weeks. He was supposed to stand on the field in Paris on July 27 and retrieve his best performance against Argentina. With a splinted finger, that would be difficult. So he had to find a solution. He didn't have much time, his broken finger couldn't stay in that state forever.
He consulted with a surgeon and decided: Parts of the finger had to be amputated. "I have made a well-thought-out decision in this moment. Not just regarding the possibility of participating in Paris, but also for my life," Dawson told Australian broadcaster 7News.
Then he called his wife. She warned him: "I don't want you to make a rash decision!" Dawson, however, said: "I had all the information I needed for the decision."
Coach praises commitment to Olympics
Dawson now hopes to return to his old form as soon as possible. His coach is impressed: "He has certainly set a high standard for anyone who might break a finger in the future. Full points for Matt. He made this decision and seems to be really committed to playing in Paris." With that, he was certainly right. Not for the first time, Dawson has been confronted with an extreme injury: six years ago, he almost lost an eye after being hit by a hockey stick.
Meanwhile, he is trying to downplay his amputation decision. "There are many other problems and people who deal with bigger things in their lives than the loss of a finger. That's why I'm very happy that it's only a small piece of my finger that's gone," he said. A small piece of finger for him, but a big sacrifice for the Olympics.
Source: Olympia.com
Despite the challenging circumstances, Australian hockey player Matthew Dawson underwent an amputation procedure on his right index finger in Paris, hoping to compete in the Olympics. Following his amputation, Dawson showcased resilience and commitment, impressing his coach with his determination to return to his top form for the Olympics.
