英语听力：自然百科 世上最高的人

A man from Turkey was officially crowned the world's tallest man on Thursday. Sultan Kosen measures 8-foot 1-inch and his status as the tallest man on the planet was verified by the Guinness Book of Records. The 27-year-old Kosen was given a tour of London's main sights on Wednesday, towering above other pedestrians as he mingled with crowds outside Big Ben. The part-time farmer from Mardin in southeastern Turkey uses crutches to get around, because his kneejoints have been weakened by his height. Guinness officials claim that there are only ten reliable or confirmed cases in history of humans growing over 8 feet. Kosen's height is attributed to a tumor in his pituitary gland, which caused the gland to over-produce growthhormones, a condition known as pituitary gigantism. The tumor was removed last year, and it was only then that he stopped growing. The condition also explains the size of his feet, which measure 14.4 inches, and his hands, which measure 10.8 inches.

The great thing about being so tall is that I can see everyone from a long distance away. I can see people from as far as 100 meters. The other great thing is that at home they use my height to change light bulbs and hang curtains, things like that.

Kosen told reporters he wants to use his new-found fame to travel the world and then meet a woman to marry. There is believed to be a taller man in the world, Ukrainian Leonid Stadnyk, who reportedly measures 8-foot 5.5 inches tall, but he refuses to let anyone confirm his height, according to Guinness.