Italian orienteering athlete Mattia Debertolis, 29, tragically lost his life on Tuesday after collapsing during the World Games in Chengdu, China. The event organizers confirmed his death alongside the International World Games Association (IWGA) and the International Orienteering Federation (IOF), extending their condolences to his family and the orienteering community.
Debertolis was competing in the 12th edition of the World Games in Chengdu on Friday when he was found unconscious during the men’s middle-distance competition. Despite receiving ‘expert medical care’ at a local hospital, he was pronounced dead on Tuesday. The IOF President Tom Hollowell expressed deep sorrow, calling the loss ‘a tragic loss of life.’
Debertolis was a member of the Italian Orienteering Federation team, having competed in several World Championships and World Cups, including the 2022 World Cup relay final where he placed fifth. Orienteering, an outdoor sport requiring navigation between checkpoints using maps and compasses, is a discipline demanding both physical and mental strength. His love for navigating and finding control points led him to pursue a career in elite orienteering.
Outside of sports, Debertolis was a civil engineer working on his PhD in Stockholm, where he was part of the orienteering club IFK Lidingö. In addition to his academic pursuits, he supported his family by managing a local hotel in his home valley Primiero. The tragedy has left the sports community in shock, with many expressing their deep condolences and remembering his contributions to both orienteering and his local community.
The official cause of death has not been disclosed. The event organizers and the IOF have emphasized the importance of supporting families and the broader orienteering community during this difficult time. The loss of Debertolis serves as a reminder of the risks involved in high-level sports and the need for continued vigilance in ensuring athlete safety.