Sam Ward: How I played Tokyo Olympics with a broken hand

Not many people know it, but I played through the Olympics with a broken hand.

On Oct 4 2020, Old Georgians were playing Hampstead and Westminster away in the England Hockey Premier Division. The score was 1-1, and a foul on Ashley Jackson resulted in a penalty corner. Once again, the responsibility fell on my shoulders to give our team the chance of a victory. I went through my usual routine. I like to call it ‘RnR’ – relax and rip it!

Unfortunately, things didn’t pan out as I’d hoped. As I ripped through the drag I felt contact with the outcoming runner and a sharp, excruciating pain. I knew immediately it was serious.