Dawson from the Kookaburras recently had a portion of his finger removed, but he's set to compete in the Olympics just two weeks later. Getty Images
With the Paris Olympics now underway, athletes are pushing their limits to stay ahead of their competitors. For Australia’s Matt Dawson, this meant taking an extraordinary step to ensure his place in the Games.
Dawson, a field hockey player, made headlines for his unusual preparation: opting to have part of his finger amputated. The 30-year-old injured his ring finger in a practice match just two weeks before the Olympics, where he was set to compete for the Kookaburras, his third time at the Games.
The injury was severe, leaving the top of his finger almost completely severed. Dawson recounts the moment with CNN Sport from Paris: “It was pretty significant. When people around you don’t say anything, you know it’s bad. We were quickly advised to see a plastic surgeon.”
The surgeon presented Dawson with two choices: reconstruct the finger with a wire, requiring four to six months of rest—essentially missing the Olympics—or amputate the damaged part. Dawson chose the latter, preferring to make this drastic move to ensure he could still compete.
Now, just days after the injury, Dawson is set to join his team against Argentina. Reflecting on his decision, he says, “I’m very fortunate to have as many fingers as possible. If I hadn’t made this choice, I wouldn’t be here.”
Dawson, who helped win a silver medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, views the surgery as a necessary step for a chance at Olympic success. “There was a rollercoaster of emotions,” he admits, “but now, just 48 hours before our first game, I’m excited and ready. This team is building towards something special, and I’m eager to be a part of it.”
