Italian orienteering competitor Mattia Debertolis, 29, has died after collapsing during an event at the World Games in Chengdu, China, organisers confirmed on Tuesday.
Debertolis was found unresponsive on August 8 during the men’s middle-distance final and died four days later despite receiving urgent medical treatment at a leading hospital in China. The cause of death has not been disclosed.
The race, held in temperatures above 30°C with high humidity, covered six kilometres with 180 metres of ascent and 20 control points. Debertolis was listed as “Did Not Finish” alongside 11 other competitors.
Originally from Primiero in eastern Italy, Debertolis had represented his country since 2014, competing in multiple World Championships and World Cups. Ranked 137th in the Orienteering World Rankings, he was also pursuing a PhD at the KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm.
The Italian Orienteering Federation has asked national athletes competing in Poland’s World Mountain Bike Orienteering Championships to wear black armbands in his memory. His family has given permission for athletes to compete in his name.
World Games organisers and the International Orienteering Federation expressed condolences to Debertolis’ family, friends, and the global orienteering community, calling the loss “a tragedy.”
The 2025 World Games, featuring 4,000 athletes in 253 events, runs until August 17.
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