Members of Australia’s Olympic swimming bemoaned the conditions at the athlete’s village in Paris a few weeks back but spare a thought for Para-athlete Morteza Mehrzadselakjani. Moreover, this decision highlights the extraordinary lengths the second-tallest man champion is willing to go. #SecondTallestManChampion
Mehrzadselakjani – better known as Mehrzad – stands at 2.46 metres tall (8 ft 0.85 inches) and is the world’s second tallest man, in addition to being a two-time Paralympic champion for Iran’s sitting volleyball team.
For a man so tall, one would think organisers would have a specially fitted bed for the man-mountain – right?
Wrong. And that doesn’t bother him one bit, according to his coach.
“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 a champion.”
A gold at Paris 2024 would be a hat-trick for Mehrzad who made his Paralympic debut in 2016, also becoming the tallest athlete to ever compete at a Paralympic Games.
Iran is a powerhouse in the sport of sitting volleyball and has won seven of the nine tournaments they have competed at since Seoul 1988.
Mehrzadselakjani was discovered by coach Rezaeigarkani when he saw him on a reality TV show, speaking about the challenges he faces in everyday life. He reached out to the network to ask for a way to contact him. #SecondTallestManChampion
Consequently, he aims to inspire others with his relentless drive as a second-tallest man champion.
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