September 3rd 2024.
Meet Morteza Mehrzadselakjani, the towering star of Iran's sitting volleyball team. At an astounding height of 8 feet 0.85 inches tall, he holds the title of the second tallest man in the world. But despite his larger-than-life stature, Morteza has faced some challenges when it comes to finding suitable accommodations.
Born with a rare condition called acromegaly, Morteza has experienced excessive growth in various parts of his body. At the age of 15, he sustained a serious pelvic fracture that stunted the growth of his right leg, leaving it 15 centimeters shorter than his left. But that hasn't stopped him from becoming a two-time Paralympic gold medalist and an all-time great in the sport.
In Tokyo three years ago, Morteza was provided with a custom-made bed that catered to his specific requirements. However, when he arrived at the Paralympic village in Paris, he was shocked to find that there was no suitable bed for him to sleep on. It was later revealed that the organizers had failed to prepare for his arrival, and Morteza was forced to sleep on the floor.
Despite this setback, Morteza remained focused on his ultimate goal – to become a champion. As Iran's head coach Hadi Rezaei put it, "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."
Morteza's situation gained global attention, and the Paralympic organizers faced heavy criticism for their negligence. But finally, after days of controversy, the matter has been resolved. The organizers have now provided Morteza with a bed that meets his needs, and he can focus on competing in the games.
Standing at over 8 feet tall, Morteza has captured the attention of the world with his incredible talent and inspiring story. Iran has dominated the sitting volleyball competition in the Paralympics, winning gold in seven out of nine appearances. And Morteza has been a crucial part of their success, with his coach Razaei calling him "the best player on our team."
But Morteza's journey to greatness has not been easy. As his coach points out, "if you go back to Morteza when he was 12 years old, no one had any consideration for him." It wasn't until he discovered sitting volleyball that his true potential was recognized and celebrated. And as his coach believes, "each person has got potential in the world, and we have to discover it." Morteza's story is proof that with determination and the right support, anyone can achieve greatness.
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