15-year-old Canadian Olivier Rioux entered the Guinness World Records 2022 as the tallest male teenager in the world, measuring 226.9 cm. Olivier was born weighing 7.5 pounds and grew to 16 pounds in his first month. His rapid growth led him to reach a height of 5 feet 2 inches by fifth grade. Considering his parents' heights, doctors expected he would reach 6 feet 5 inches at his peak, but he surpassed that expectation by a full foot!
Given that the entire Rioux family is tall, Olivier's childhood home was adapted to accommodate his height, providing a comfortable environment for everyone, with tables and ceilings taller than average. The only thing that remained unchanged was the door frames, which have witnessed an immense number of clashes with the top of Olivier's head.
As a child, Olivier spent hours poring over the Guinness World Records books, looking at the tallest people and comparing himself with each record holder. After failing to find someone taller than him in the 2015 and 2016 editions, he was inspired to pursue the title of the tallest teenager in the world, mentioning that he felt relieved to finally receive it.
It is no surprise that he has been drawn to basketball early on. The skilled athlete recalls being 5 years old when he started playing games, and competing teams often questioned his true age due to his towering height. Additionally, Olivier attracts attention in other public places, where people ask questions about his age and height, often requesting pictures next to him. During a family vacation in Cuba, a line of guests formed throughout the resort, waiting their turn to take a picture with him.
Although this can make any simple outing a challenge, as long as people treat him with respect and kindness, Olivier and his family remain patient and understanding. The teenager is expected to continue growing and reaching new heights!
