Morteza Mehrzadselakjani, the world’s second-tallest man, has been forced to sleep on the floor as he competes in the Paris Paralympic Games.
The 246cm athlete, nicknamed the Fatal Weapon in his home country, Iran, had a special bed constructed for him during the Tokyo Games, where he took gold in sitting volleyball.
Morteza Mehrzadselakjani with his team mates in 2016.
But this year, Mehrzadselakjani, who developed a growth condition at a young age, has been given no such special treatment, his coach said.
“In Tokyo [2020], yes, they have made a special bed, but unfortunately not here [at Paris 2024,” Hadi Rezaeigarkani told Olympics.com.
“He’s going to lie on the floor. He doesn’t have a special bed, but he has got the most important aim in his mind. It doesn’t matter for him whether he will lay on the floor or he’s not going to have enough to eat. In any way, he has the mind to become the champion.”
Mehrzadselakjani – better known as Mehrzad – is the tallest Paralympian in history.
Morteza Mehrzadselakjani stretches to play the ball.
The 36-year-old is a key part of Iran’s men’s sitting volleyball team. The sport is played in a seated position with only minor modifications to the rules for able-bodied volleyball.
Mehrzadselakjani was diagnosed with acromegaly at a young age, a condition that causes the body to produce excess growth hormone. He is one of three living people in the world who are 246cm tall, which makes them the 17th tallest humans ever recorded.