Italian orienteering athlete Mattia Debertolis has died after collapsing during the World Games in Chengdu, China. The 29-year-old was found unconscious during the men's middle-distance competition on Friday and was rushed to hospital.
Despite receiving immediate expert medical care at one of China's leading medical institutions, he passed away on 12 August 2025, according to a joint statement from the International World Games Association, the local organising committee and the International Orienteering Federation (IOF).
Debertolis was one of 12 athletes listed as 'Did Not Finish' in the official results. The cause of death has not been disclosed, and no details were provided as to why he collapsed.
The IOF described Debertolis as not only an elite athlete but also a highly skilled civil engineer, with studies in progress for a PhD at Stockholm University, where he lived and was a member of the orienteering club IFK Lidingo.
The World Games Family, the organising committee and the IOF expressed their heartfelt condolences to the athlete's family, friends and the orienteering community.
