The ordeal experienced by the giant Morteza Mehrzad (2m46) in the Olympic village: “He had to…

Paralympics Volleyball (DR)

By Editorial | Sport

The tallest Paralympic athlete in history, Morteza Mehrzad is also the second tallest living human being in the world. But his 2m46 under the measuring rod posed a problem for him in the Paralympic village, where the poor Iranian experienced a real ordeal during the first days… His coach’s words inevitably hurt his heart…

Over time, the Olympic Village has hosted some incredible specimens. We of course think of basketball players like Yao Ming and Victor Wembanyama, whose height well exceeds 2m20. But with Morteza Mehrzad, it’s different again. Suffering from acromegaly since a young age, the Iranian measures 2m46 (!), making him the second tallest living human being on the planet.

Morteza Mehrzad forced to sleep on the ground in the village

The centerpiece of an Iranian team that reigns over Paralympic volleyball, and which won a third consecutive gold medal after Rio in 2016 and Tokyo in 2020, the 37-year-old athlete was happy to discover Paris. But arriving at the Olympic village, the giant quickly became disillusioned.

The team’s coach Hadi Rezaigarkani confided that his colt had to spend several nights… on the ground:

In Tokyo, yes, they had made a special bed for him. But unfortunately that is not the case here. He must have slept on the floor.

This very unfortunate setback, however, did not dampen the unfailing motivation of the main person concerned, as his coach recalled:

Special bed or not, he has the most important goal in mind: victory. He doesn’t care if he sleeps on the floor or doesn’t eat enough. Whatever happens, he has the mentality to be a champion.

Informed of the situation, the Parisian organization did not let poor Mehrzad sleep on the ground for too long. Extension cords were chartered to the Iranian’s room as soon as possible, as explained by the Paralympic Committee:

The village beds are similar in their dimensions. The Paris 2024 team received a request from the Iranian delegation, and responded by providing two extensions to add to the standard bed. These extensions were insufficient. Other extensions have also been delivered. The problem has now been resolved

Morteza Mehrzad is unfortunately used to it: his immense size often causes him very delicate situations, which he has become accustomed to accepting without flinching. In this case, sleeping on the ground in the village Olympic for several nights is particularly regrettable, but we can only salute his humility and his determination to seek this 3rd gold medal at all costs. Hats off.