Matthew Dawson, a 30-year-old Australian field hockey player, has taken the extraordinary step to secure his place at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. As reported on the official website of the Olympics, the athlete agreed to partial amputation of the ring finger of his right hand, writes pravilamag.ru.

Two weeks before the start of the Games, Dawson suffered a broken finger, jeopardizing his participation in the competition. However, the athlete, who won a silver medal at the previous Tokyo Olympics, chose a radical solution instead of the traditional treatment with a plaster cast.

“Together with the plastic surgeon, I made a conscious decision. This choice was made not only for the opportunity to perform in Paris, but also for subsequent life. Amputation was the best option for me. I see it as a bit of a change and an exciting challenge,” Dawson commented on his decision.

Colin Batch, coach of the Australian team, expressed admiration for the athlete’s dedication: “Dawson is already back in training. He certainly set the bar high for those who break a finger in the future. “He’s made that decision and is obviously really determined to play in Paris.”

It Is worth noting that this is not the first serious test in Dawson’s career. Six years ago, he nearly lost an eye after being hit with a stick while playing.