Italian orienteer Mattia Debertolis passes away four days following a collapse at the World Games
In the tragic events of the 2025 World Games in Chengdu, China, the Italian orienteer Mattia Debertolis lost his life after collapsing unconscious during the men's middle-distance orienteering race on August 8. Despite immediate medical attention, he passed away four days later on August 12.
The cause of Debertolis' death remains undisclosed, with no official statement released by the World Games organisers or the International Orienteering Federation (IOF). However, several sources suggest that the extreme heat and humidity during the event, with temperatures reportedly reaching as high as 37°C, may have played a role.
Debertolis, a qualified civil engineer, was studying for a PhD at a university in Stockholm, Sweden. He was a member of the Italian national team and had a successful career in orienteering, finishing fifth in the 2022 World Cup final.
The global orienteering community is encouraged to honour Debertolis' memory, and the IOF, along with the World Games organisers and the local organizing committee of The World Games in Chengdu, have pledged their support to his family and the orienteering community.
Debertolis, who was not a senior citizen, started his athletic journey as a cross-country skier and footballer but found his passion in orienteering due to his love for navigating. He did not win a medal at the World Games, but his spirit and dedication to the sport will be remembered.
The exact circumstances leading to Debertolis' collapse during the race remain unclear, and no detailed investigation results or confirmed medical cause have been publicly reported. The orienteering community awaits further information to understand the tragic incident better.
In the meantime, let us remember Mattia Debertolis, an Italian orienteering athlete who loved navigating and brought joy to the sport, and honour his memory in our thoughts and actions.
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