Hard life for world´s tallest man

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Source: CCTV.com | 08-13-2007 10:16

Ukrainian Leonid Stadnyk (2nd L) is seen talking to villagers near his house in Podolyantsi village in Ukraine's Zhytomyr region in this April 21, 2004 file photo. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich

Guinness Record holder Leonid Stadnyk says all he wants is a normal life. Standing 2.53 meters, 37 year old Ukrainian Stadnyk was named the tallest man in the world last week.

But Stadnyk isn't interested in the glory of his new title. He would rather be able to use public transport and wear clothes bought off the rack. Stadnyk trained as a veterinarian but was unable to keep his job because of illness caused by his size.

Stadnyk now lives with his mother, surviving on a government pension and income from a small farm. Stadnyk is reluctant to talk about his extraordinary growth which began when he was 10 or 12 years old. But local media say a brain operation triggered hormonal problems linked to his height.

Stadnyk says he hopes for practical things like farm machinery to make his life easier.

Editor:Du Xiaodan