Organizers of the Paralympics have assured that they will provide a new bed for Morteza Mehrzadselakjani, the world’s second-tallest man and a sitting volleyball player for Iran, who has been forced to sleep on the floor due to the lack of a bed large enough for him.
Morteza, a two-time Paralympic champion and one of Iran’s star players, stands just over eight feet tall. This makes him the second tallest man in the world and, in 2016, the tallest athlete ever to compete in the Paralympic Games.
At the delayed Tokyo 2020 Games, Morteza had a special bed made to accommodate his height. However, his coach has complained that he was not provided with a similar bed at this year’s Paralympics in Paris.
“He doesn’t have a special bed, but he has the most important aim in his mind. It doesn’t matter whether he sleeps on the floor or doesn’t have enough to eat. He’s focused on becoming a champion,” his coach told Olympics.com.
A spokesperson for the Paralympics told Newsround that after a request from Iran’s National Paralympic Committee (NPC), they had offered two extensions for the standard beds at the Paralympic Village. However, it appears these extensions were still not sufficient for Morteza.
“Since learning about the situation in the media, we are providing additional extensions. The situation will be resolved today,” the spokesperson said.
Despite the bed issue, Morteza and his team remain focused on their performance. Iran has won seven out of the nine sitting volleyball tournaments they’ve competed in, and they are aiming for their eighth victory in Paris this year.
