Italian orienteering athlete dies at World Games in China amid intense heat
Italian orienteering athlete Mattia Debertolis, 29, died on Tuesday at the World Games in Chengdu, China, after collapsing during a middle-distance event on August 8 amid intense heat and humidity with temperatures above 30 degrees.
Debertolis was found unconscious during the competition and passed away four days later despite receiving immediate medical attention at a leading Chinese medical facility, according to a joint statement from 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 confirmed.
The incident occurred during the final of the men's middle-distance event, approximately 50 kilometers outside central Chengdu. The six-kilometer course featured 180 meters of ascent and 20 control points.
Athletes navigated through crop fields and villages on the rural course, using maps and compasses to reach designated checkpoints in the quickest time possible.
Switzerland's Riccardo Rancan won the event with a time of 45 minutes and 22 seconds.
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"I needed to acclimatise quickly with hot and humid conditions. I think I managed quite well," Rancan told Chinese state media.
Debertolis, from Primiero in eastern Italy, was listed among 11 other athletes who did not finish the race. He was ranked 137th in the men's Orienteering World Rankings and had been competing since 2014.
While pursuing his athletic career, Debertolis was also working towards a PhD at the KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, where he resided.
The World Games, held every four years for sports not included in the Olympics, features approximately 4,000 athletes competing in 253 events. The 12th edition runs until August 17 in Chengdu.
"World Games organisers and the IOF were struck by this tragedy and extend their heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the athlete and the whole orienteering community. Our thoughts are with those touched by this event," the joint statement read.
The organisers pledged to "continue to support the family of Mattia Debertolis and the orienteering community in every possible way."
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