Italian orienteering athlete Mattia Debertolis died on 12 August after collapsing during the men’s middle-distance final at the World Games in Chengdu, China, organisers and the International Orienteering Federation confirmed. The 29-year-old was found unconscious on 8 August and was treated at a local hospital but never regained consciousness. Officials said Debertolis received “immediate expert medical care” yet succumbed four days later; they did not specify a cause of death. The race was held about 50 kilometres outside central Chengdu in heat exceeding 30 °C, conditions that also saw 11 other athletes listed as ‘Did Not Finish’. Ranked 137th in the men’s orienteering world standings, Debertolis had competed internationally since 2014, including several World Championships. The 12th edition of the multi-sport World Games continues through 17 August, with organisers and the IOF pledging support to Debertolis’s family and teammates.
Une course d'orientation des Jeux Mondiaux a été endeuillée par la disparition de l'athlète italien Mattia Debertolis, retrouvé inconscient lors de l'épreuve. L'homme de 29 ans est mort à l'hôpital quelques jours plus tard. ➡️ https://t.co/rsbvLgRiPg https://t.co/lipWNeXk4f
Italian orienteering athlete Mattia Debertolis died on Tuesday after being found unresponsive during competition at the World Games in China's Chengdu, organisers said. #AFPSports https://t.co/7HxB7O3sX7 https://t.co/Yz6a7tkctj
Drame aux Jeux Mondiaux : mort d’un athlète italien après une course d’orientation https://t.co/KvrjIKGrOc