Leonid Stadnyk

Leonid Stadnyk formerly held the 2008 Guinness World Record as the world's tallest living man.Guinness World Records: Tallest Man - Living He was stripped of his title in September 2009 because he did not allow Guinness World Records to measure his height to confirm the record. Stadnyk said he refused because he was tired of being the center of attention. Sultan Kosen currently holds the title.http://www.bostonherald.com/news/international/general/view/20090917turk_takes_title_of_worlds_tallest_man/srvc=home&position=recent

Stadnyk's size has posed difficulties for him. For example, he could not find shoes that fit, and wore only socks for a time. As a result, his feet became frostbitten, which forced him to quit his job as a veterinarian.Daily Mail: New World's Tallest Man Stands at a Towering 8ft 5ins As he has become more of a public figure, however, he has received gifts of clothes, and other items that fit him properly, including a custom built Chevrolet.Autoblog: World's Tallest Man Presented Keys to Custom Built Car (March 25, 2008)

Stadnyk was diagnosed with a benign brain tumor at age 14. Doctors speculate that the surgery he underwent to deal with the tumor stimulated his pituitary gland to produce excess growth hormone.Daily Mail: New World's Tallest Man Stands at a Towering 8ft 5ins MayoClinic.com: Acromegaly

• Topix: Leonid Stadnyk

• Google News: Leonid Stadnyk

• Herald Sun: World's tallest man still growing (March 25, 2008)

• Daily Mail: New world's tallest man stands at a towering 8ft 5ins (September 28, 2007)

• Guardian: How Tall Can A Human Grow? (May 6, 2004)

• ArtUkraine: Tallest Man in World (April 19, 2004)

• USA Today: Tiny village possibly holds the world's tallest man (April 17, 2004)