Italian orienteering athlete Mattia Debertolis has died at the World Games in Chengdu, China, after collapsing during competition, organisers confirmed on Tuesday, August 12.
Debertolis, 29, was found unconscious on August 8 during the men’s middle-distance orienteering event and passed away four days later, according to a joint statement from the World Games organisers and the International Orienteering Federation (IOF).
“Despite receiving immediate expert medical care at one of China’s leading medical institutions, he passed away,” the statement said, without revealing the cause of death.
Orienteering is a sport that involves navigating an unmarked course with a map and compass, reaching designated checkpoints in the shortest possible time. The event took place about 50 kilometres outside central Chengdu, in intense heat and humidity with temperatures exceeding 30 degrees Celsius.
Debertolis collapsed during the final race. The event’s winner, Switzerland’s Riccardo Rancan, completed the course in 45 minutes and 22 seconds. Debertolis was recorded as “Did Not Finish,” along with 11 other athletes.
Ranked 137th in the men’s Orienteering World Rankings, Debertolis had competed internationally since 2014 and represented Italy at several World Championships and World Cups.
The World Games, a multisport event held every four years for non-Olympic disciplines, is currently in its 12th edition and runs until August 17.
The organisers and the IOF pledged to “continue to support the family of Mattia Debertolis and the orienteering community in every possible way.”
