Italian Athlete Dies During World Games In China
Italian athlete Mattia Debertolis collapsed during an orienteering event and passed away four days later.
During the ongoing World Games in Chengdu (China), an Italian athlete named Mattia Debertolis has died. The 29-year-old reportedly collapsed during orienteering event last Friday before being found unconscious by the organisers.
He passed away four days later on Tuesday with cause of his death still unknown.
In a statement, the World Games organisers said, 'Despite receiving immediate expert medical care at one of China's leading medical institutions, he passed away."
International Orienteering Federation (IOF) president Tom Hollowell issued a statement at the tragic loss of life.
'I am not able to adequately describe in words the unfathomable depth of sadness in this tragic loss of life. Our thoughts are with all who mourn Mattia. I encourage the global orienteering community to honor his memory," Hollowell said.
Debertolis, part of Italian Orienteering Federation's team at the World Games 2025, was taking part in the men's middle-distance event with temperatures rising above 30 degrees Celsius on August 8.
'In his childhood and youth years, Mattia was active both in orienteering, cross-country skiing and football. His love for navigating and finding the control points made him prioritize orienteering and pursue a career within elite orienteering," IOF said in a statement.
'Together with IWGA and the LOC in Chengdu, IOF will continue to support the family of Mattia Debertolis and has no additional comments at this time," it added.
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