29-year-old orienteering competitor Mattia Debertolis tragically passed away after collapsing during the World Games in Chengdu, raising concerns about athlete safety in extreme conditions.
Tragic Death of Italian Orienteer Mattia Debertolis at World Games
Tragic Death of Italian Orienteer Mattia Debertolis at World Games
Italian athlete Mattia Debertolis dies following a collapse during an orienteering event in China.
Italian orienteer Mattia Debertolis has sadly died after collapsing during an orienteering event at the World Games held in Chengdu, China, last week. The 29-year-old athlete was discovered unconscious by event organizers during the men's middle-distance final, which took place on Friday in sweltering temperatures exceeding 30 degrees Celsius. Despite receiving prompt and expert medical attention at one of China's premier medical facilities, he succumbed to his injuries four days later, on Tuesday.
World Games organizers released a statement expressing their condolences and stating the cause of Debertolis' death remains unknown. The tragedy has stunned the orienteering community, as he was ranked 137th in the world and was not an unknown figure in the sport, having notably finished fifth in the 2022 World Cup final.
The World Games, a quadriennial multi-sport event showcasing sports not included in the Olympics, involved several athletes struggling in extreme heat conditions, with Debertolis being one of 12 competitors who did not finish the event. In light of this incident, organizers have pledged to provide ongoing support to Debertolis' family and the wider orienteering community as they navigate this profound loss.
