A field hockey player from Australia has spoken out about his decision to get his ring finger removed so that he may participate in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France.
Matthew Dawson decided to have surgery to remove the upper part of his ring finger after breaking it during a competition; the injury was threatening to hamper his ability to compete.
Rather than feel the pain of the broken finger, he came up with the idea to remove the break and bandage the wound.
The brave (some would say crazy) Noah Lyles is getting ready to compete in the Paris Olympics and made, according to him, an informed decision with the plastic surgeon at the time, not only for the opportunity to play in Paris but also for life after.
Considering the type of break, he and his doctor felt the best option was for him to take the top of his finger off.
As a defensive player, Dawson hopes that the healing process will restore his eligibility to participate on an international level since it had previously been jeopardized. He went on to say that he talked to his wife about it while making the decision.
He assured everyone that he had all the necessary data to decide not to just play in Paris or do what he did. He said he consulted with his wife, and he has always prioritized healthiness and looking toward the future.
Since 2014, he has been a member of the Australian men’s field hockey team. He competed in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where he lost the final against Belgium but still managed to win silver.
In their group stage match against Argentina on July 27, Australia will try to win their first medal since 2004 in Athens, and Dawson’s choice has impressed their head coach.
Colin Batch said he’s not sure he would have done it, but he backs his decision.
