World's Second Tallest Man Was Forced to Sleep on the Floor at the Paralympics, Coach Says

A disappointing development

Morteza Mehrzadselakjani, the world's second tallest man, was forced to sleep on the floor at the Paralympics in Tokyo, according to his coach. Mehrzadselakjani is 8 feet 1 inch tall and weighs 300 pounds. He competed in the discus throw and shot put events. "We were very disappointed with the accommodations," said Mehrzadselakjani's coach, Alireza Ghalehnoei. "We had requested a special bed for him, but it was not provided."

Mehrzadselakjani is not the only Paralympian to have faced accommodation issues. In 2016, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) apologized after several athletes complained about the lack of accessible housing at the Rio Games. The IPC said it was working to improve the situation for future Games.

A call for change

Ghalaehnoei said he hopes Mehrzadselakjani's experience will help raise awareness of the need for better accommodations for Paralympic athletes. "We are calling on the IPC to make sure that all athletes have access to the same quality of accommodations," said Ghalaenoei.

The IPC said it is committed to providing equal opportunities for all athletes. "We are working to ensure that all athletes have access to the same quality of accommodations," said IPC spokesperson Craig Spence. "We will continue to work with our partners to improve the situation for future Games."

Conclusion

The Paralympics are a celebration of human achievement. They are a reminder that anything is possible, regardless of ability. Mehrzadselakjani's story is a reminder that there is still work to be done to ensure that all athletes have the same opportunities to succeed.