Iranian 2.46m para volleyballer Morteza Mehrzad struggles to find bed big enough

Iranian Paralympian Morteza Mehrzad, 2nd tallest man, finally gets a bed big enough at Paris Paralympics.

Iran's sitting volleyball star Morteza Mehrzad has finally found a bed big enough to accommodate his 2.46-metre (8 ft 0.85 in) frame at the Paris Paralympics.

His coach Hadi Rezaeigarkani told the Olympics.com website last Friday that the 36-year-old was planning to sleep on the floor of the Olympic Village because — unlike during the last Games in Tokyo — his bed wasn't big enough.

"In Tokyo, they have made a special bed, but unfortunately not here," Rezaeigarkani said. "He's going to lie on the floor."

Mehrzad, the second-tallest living man in the world, was diagnosed at a young age with acromegaly, a rare condition that leads to the production of excessive growth hormones.

All athletes in the village are sleeping on the same sort of eco-friendly and modulable beds used at the Tokyo Olympics, which have mattresses made from recycled plastic and bases manufactured from cardboard.

The Paris organising committee told AFP in a statement that they had initially provided two extensions for Mehrzad at the request of the Iranian Paralympic Committee.

"A third was later requested by the Iranian Paralympic Committee which has also been supplied to them," the statement said. "Paris 2024 is in contact with the Iranian Paralympic Committee and the athlete now has all necessary equipment for his comfort."