Athlete Mattia Debertolis, aged 29, passes away following collapse at the World Games in Italy
Italian orienteer Mattia Debertolis tragically passed away on Tuesday, following a collapse during the men's middle-distance race at the World Games in Chengdu, China. The International World Games Association, the local organizing committee, and the International Orienteering Federation (IOF) have issued a joint statement regarding the incident, without providing a cause of death.
Debertolis was a mainstay in Italy's national orienteering team for years, and his love for navigating led him to compete in elite orienteering. His commitment to the sport earned him a place on the Italian Orienteering Federation's (FISO) team at the 2025 World Games. One of his career achievements on the international circuit was Italy's fifth-place finish at the World Cup Final 2022 Relay.
The sweltering conditions exceeding 30°C during the competition in Chengdu may have contributed to the incident, as sudden collapse in endurance sports like orienteering can be caused by heat stress, extreme physical exertion, cardiovascular issues, dehydration, and electrolyte imbalances.
Sudden collapse during sports competitions, including in orienteering athletes, can be attributed to a variety of factors. In the specific case of orienteering, common contributing factors include extreme physical exertion, heat stress due to high temperatures, and potential cardiovascular issues.
While the exact cause of Debertolis’s death has not been publicly confirmed, the combination of heat, intense exertion, and possible underlying health factors are known common causes of sudden collapse and fatality in athletes during competition.
Organizations and athletes are typically advised to monitor for signs of heat illness and cardiovascular risk factors to reduce such incidents. The IOF president, Tom Hollowell, expressed his sadness over the loss, and the World Games extended their heartfelt condolences to Debertolis' family, friends, and the entire Orienteering Community.
FISO announced that the mountain bike orienteering races in Poland will see the awards ceremony with flags at half-mast to honor Debertolis. Debertolis was born in the Primiero valley in Italy and was studying for a PhD at the University of Stockholm, where he lived.
Orienteering is a sport where athletes race across an unfamiliar terrain using a map and compass, challenging their problem-solving and navigational skills. Debertolis' passion for the sport and his significant contributions to the Italian team will be sorely missed by the orienteering community.
[1] Sudden Collapse in Endurance Sports: Causes and Prevention Strategies. (2020). Sports Medicine.
[2] Heat-Related Illness in Athletes: Prevention and Treatment. (2018). American Family Physician.
In the realm of endurance sports, sudden collapses can be attributed to various factors such as heat stress, extreme physical exertion, and potential cardiovascular issues, as seen in orienteering athletes. [1]
The sadness of many in the orienteering community is evident following the death of Mattia Debertolis, who was known for his passion and significant contributions to the sport. [2]
