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National Post

Italian orienteering athlete dies at World Games in China

Article content CHENGDU — Italian orienteering athlete Mattia Debertolis died on Tuesday at the World Games in Chengdu, China after collapsing during competition, organizers said. Article content Debertolis, 29, was found unconscious during an orienteering event on August 8 and died four days later, said a joint statement from World Games organisers and the International Orienteering Federation (IOF). Article content Article content The World Games is a multisport event held every four years for disciplines not included in the Olympics. Article content 'Despite receiving immediate expert medical care at one of China's leading medical institutions, he passed away,' the statement said. Article content It did not provide details on the cause of death. Article content Orienteering sees athletes navigate an unmarked course with a map and compass, punching in at designated spots along the route in the quickest time. Article content The event, held about 50 kilometres (30 miles) outside of central Chengdu, took place in intense heat and humidity, with temperatures above 30 degrees. Article content Debertolis, from Primiero in eastern Italy, was taking part in the final of the men's middle-distance event when he collapsed. Article content The six-kilometre course featured 180 metres of ascent and 20 control points that athletes must visit. Article content Footage from the World Games' social media accounts showed athletes running through crop fields and villages on a largely rural course. Article content The winner, Switzerland's Riccardo Rancan, completed the course in 45 minutes and 22 seconds. Article content 'I needed to acclimatise quickly with hot and humid conditions. I think I managed quite well,' Chinese state media quoted Rancan as saying. Article content Debertolis was listed as 'Did Not Finish' in official results, along with 11 other athletes. Article content He was ranked 137th in the men's Orienteering World Rankings and had been competing since 2014, according to the IOF website. Article content He participated in several World Championships and World Cups as part of the Italian team. Article content Alongside his training, Debertolis was studying for a PhD at the KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, where he lived. Article content This is the 12th edition of the World Games and it runs until August 17, with approximately 4,000 athletes competing in 253 events. The men's middle-distance orienteering was the first medal event of the Chengdu Games. Article content 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', the joint statement read. Article content