Italian Orienteer Mattia Debertolis Tragically Passes Away After Collapse at World Games

Mattia Debertolis, a prominent Italian orienteer, has passed away following a collapse during the World Games held in China, bringing shock and sorrow to the sports community.

Italian orienteer Mattia Debertolis has tragically died after collapsing at the World Games in Chengdu, China, last week. The 29-year-old athlete was competing in the men's middle-distance event when he became unconscious on Friday amidst soaring temperatures surpassing 30 degrees Celsius.

Despite receiving immediate and specialized medical attention at one of the leading medical facilities in China, Debertolis succumbed to his unexplained health crisis on Tuesday, four days after the incident, as confirmed by the World Games organizers. The cause of his death remains under investigation.

The World Games, a multi-sport event that takes place every four years for disciplines outside the Olympic program, included Debertolis among the competitors. His performance in the event resulted in him being marked as one of 12 athletes who "Did Not Finish" the race. Debertolis had previously secured 5th place in the 2022 World Cup final, establishing himself as a talented member of the Italian national team.

In their statement, World Games organizers expressed their condolences and commitment to support both Debertolis's family and the wider orienteering community in any way possible during this difficult time. The incident has raised concerns about athlete safety amid challenging weather conditions in competitive sports.