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Italian athlete Mattia Debertolis collapsed during an orienteering event and passed away four days later.
Mattia Debertolis during an event. (Picture Credit: International Orienteering Federation)
During the ongoing World Games in Chengdu (China), an Italian athlete named Mattia Debertolis has died. The 29-year-old reportedly collapsed during orienteering event last Friday before being found unconscious by the organisers.
He passed away four days later on Tuesday with cause of his death still unknown.
In a statement, the World Games organisers said, “Despite receiving immediate expert medical care at one of China’s leading medical institutions, he passed away.”
International Orienteering Federation (IOF) president Tom Hollowell issued a statement at the tragic loss of life.
“I am not able to adequately describe in words the unfathomable depth of sadness in this tragic loss of life. Our thoughts are with all who mourn Mattia. I encourage the global orienteering community to honor his memory,” Hollowell said.
Debertolis, part of Italian Orienteering Federation’s team at the World Games 2025, was taking part in the men’s middle-distance event with temperatures rising above 30 degrees Celsius on August 8.
“In his childhood and youth years, Mattia was active both in orienteering, cross-country skiing and football. His love for navigating and finding the control points made him prioritize orienteering and pursue a career within elite orienteering,” IOF said in a statement.
“Together with IWGA and the LOC in Chengdu, IOF will continue to support the family of Mattia Debertolis and has no additional comments at this time,” it added.
Debertolis, a qualified civil engineer, lived in Sweden and was studying for PhD.
He was part of the Italian team that finished 5th at the 2022 World Cup final.
What is Orienteering?
Orienteering is an outdoor event involving both mental and physical aspects. The participants have to navigate through an unmarked route with the help of map and compass while running.
There’s a wide varierty of orienteering events including “individual competitions and relays, ultra-short park races and mountain marathon events.”
Feroz Khan has been covering sports for over 12 years now and is currently working with Network18 as Principal Correspondent. He embarked on his journey in 2011 and has since acquired vast experience in digital…Read More
Feroz Khan has been covering sports for over 12 years now and is currently working with Network18 as Principal Correspondent. He embarked on his journey in 2011 and has since acquired vast experience in digital… Read More
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