Italian orienteering athlete Mattia Debertolis tragically passed away after collapsing during the World Games 2025 in Chengdu, China.
The 29-year-old was found unconscious last Friday during the men’s middle-distance orienteering final, a highly demanding outdoor navigation sport, and succumbed to his condition four days later, on Tuesday.
Debertolis was competing in the final event held about 50 kilometers outside Chengdu amid intense summer heat and humidity, with temperatures soaring above 30 degrees Celsius. The course required athletes to navigate with map and compass through difficult terrain, making it both physically and mentally challenging. Debertolis was one of 12 competitors who were recorded as “Did Not Finish” in the official results.
The World Games organizers, along with the International Orienteering Federation ,IOF, and the Local Organizing Committee ,LOC, expressed their deep sorrow in a joint statement. They confirmed that despite immediate expert medical care at one of China’s leading medical institutions, Debertolis could not be saved. No specific cause of death has been disclosed.
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Mattia Debertolis was not only an elite orienteering athlete who had competed internationally since 2014 and was ranked 137th globally in men’s orienteering, but also a highly skilled civil engineer pursuing a PhD at the KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm. As a member of the orienteering club IFK Lidingö, he balanced his academic pursuits with a passion for navigation and outdoor sport.
The World Games, a multi-sport event held every four years for sports not included in the Olympic program, is currently in its 12th edition. The tragic death of Debertolis has cast a somber shadow over the event.
The IOF President, Tom Hollowell, expressed profound sadness at the loss of a promising athlete. “I am not able to adequately describe in words the unfathomable depth of sadness in this tragic loss of life,” Hollowell said, urging the global orienteering community to honor his memory.
The World Games family and associated organizations have pledged ongoing support to Debertolis’ family and the orienteering community during this difficult time, extending their heartfelt condolences to all who knew and admired him.
This unfortunate incident highlights the intense physical demands of orienteering and the challenges athletes face competing in extreme weather conditions while striving for excellence.
The World Games will continue until August 17, with a renewed commitment to athlete safety and wellbeing in the wake of this tragedy.
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