Italian athlete succumbs during race in China - Italian long-distance runner perishes during a race in China
In the heartbreaking news from the World Games in Chengdu, China, Italian orienteering runner Mattia Debertolis has tragically passed away. The 29-year-old athlete from Primiero, Trentino, was competing in the event when his GPS device stopped transmitting, indicating he had stopped moving during a race on August 8, 2025.
Debertolis was found unconscious during the competition under extreme conditions, with high humidity and temperatures reaching up to 42°C. Despite immediate rescue measures, he passed away in a hospital four days later.
The organizers of the World Games, a multisport event for disciplines not included in the Olympic program, have expressed their deepest condolences to Mattia Debertolis' family, friends, and the entire orienteering community. The International World Games Association, the Local Organising Committee, and the International Orienteering Federation have all released statements, focusing on mourning his loss and providing context about the incident.
However, the cause of Debertolis' death remains undisclosed by the organizers. Reports suggest that none explicitly link his collapse or death to environmental factors such as heat or humidity. The available information does not confirm a connection between Debertolis’ death and the extreme heat and humidity at the event.
Orienteering, a sport that involves athletes navigating through a course using a map and compass to reach checkpoints, has been a part of the World Games since 2001. As the orienteering community mourns the loss of one of their own, they also stand united in support of Debertolis' family and friends during this difficult time.
The World Games, currently being held in Chengdu, China, will continue until August 17, with approximately 5,000 athletes competing in 34 sports. The organizers, the athletes, and the spectators will no doubt remember Debertolis and his passion for the sport, as they continue to celebrate the spirit of the games.
[1] World Games Organizers Express Condolences After Mattia Debertolis' Death (2025, August 16). Retrieved from https://www.worldgames.org/news/world-games-organizers-express-condolences-after-mattia-debertolis-death
[2] Italian Orienteering Runner Mattia Debertolis Dies During World Games (2025, August 12). Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/orienteering/58470983
[3] Mattia Debertolis: Tributes Paid to Italian Orienteering Runner (2025, August 12). Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/aug/12/mattia-debertolis-tributes-paid-to-italian-orienteering-runner
[4] World Games: Orienteering Runner Mattia Debertolis Dies in Chengdu (2025, August 12). Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/world-games-orienteering-runner-mattia-debertolis-dies-chengdu-2025-08-12/
[5] Mattia Debertolis: Death of Italian Orienteering Runner at World Games Under Investigation (2025, August 16). Retrieved from https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/mattia-debertolis-death-italian-orienteering-runner-world-games-investigation-b1907775.html
