Italian orienteering athlete Mattia Debertolis tragically passed away after collapsing during the World Games, raising concerns over athlete health and safety in extreme conditions.
Tragic Passing of Italian Orienteer Mattia Debertolis at World Games
Tragic Passing of Italian Orienteer Mattia Debertolis at World Games
29-year-old athlete dies following collapse during competition in Chengdu, China.
Italian orienteer Mattia Debertolis has died at the age of 29 following a collapse during the World Games held in Chengdu, China last week. The athlete was found unconscious by event organizers during an orienteering event on Friday and succumbed to his injuries four days later on Tuesday.
World Games officials confirmed that despite receiving prompt medical attention at a top hospital in China, Debertolis was unable to recover. The cause of his death remains undetermined as investigations continue.
Competing in the men's middle-distance final—which took place under challenging conditions with temperatures soaring above 30 degrees—Debertolis was among the 12 athletes who were noted as "Did Not Finish" in the event’s official records. Notably, he was a prominent figure in orienteering, having secured a 5th place finish in the 2022 World Cup final.
In a heartfelt statement, the organizers of the World Games expressed their commitment to supporting Debertolis’ family and the orienteering community during this difficult time.
