Iranian Paralympic Star Sleeps on the Floor, But His Focus Remains on Gold
Morteza Mehrzadselakjani, the world’s second-tallest man, who is representing Iran at the Paralympic Games in Paris, is sleeping on the floor in Paris as the organizers have not provided him with a custom-made bed like he received at the Tokyo Games, CBS News reports.
But the athlete is unfazed. Despite his towering height of 8 feet 0.85 inches, which poses unique challenges, Mehrzad, as he is known, is determined to lead his team to a third consecutive gold medal in sitting volleyball.
“He doesn’t have a special bed, but he has got the most important aim in his mind,” said Hadi Rezaeigarkani, Iran’s sitting volleyball head coach. “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 a champion.”
Iran has a strong history in sitting volleyball, boasting seven gold medals in nine Olympic tournaments since their debut in 1988. Mehrzad, who made his Paralympic debut in 2016, is aiming for a third consecutive gold.
At the age of 36, Mehrzad was diagnosed with acromegaly, a rare hormonal disorder that causes excessive growth in certain body parts. A bicycle accident in his youth resulted in a pelvic injury, hindering the growth of his right leg.
Rezaeigarkani discovered Mehrzad in 2011 when he appeared on a local TV reality show, sharing his struggles with his extraordinary height.
Mehrzad’s towering stature makes him the tallest athlete to ever compete in the Paralympic Games.
