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Italian orienteering athlete Mattia Debertolis has died at the age of 29, four days after collapsing during the World Games in Chengdu, China. The incident occurred last Friday during the men’s middle-distance final in temperatures exceeding 30 degrees Celsius. Organisers found Debertolis unconscious on the course and confirmed that he received immediate treatment at one of China’s leading medical facilities, but he passed away on Tuesday.
The cause of death has not yet been determined. Debertolis was one of 12 competitors listed as “Did Not Finish” in the official race results. He was a member of Italy’s national orienteering team, with a career highlight of finishing fifth at the 2022 World Cup final. Orienteering is a sport combining navigation, endurance, and problem-solving, requiring participants to locate checkpoints with a map in unmarked terrain.
The International Orienteering Federation expressed deep sorrow at Debertolis’ death, with President Tom Hollowell describing the tragedy as an “unfathomable” loss. The World Games organisers pledged to provide full support to his family and the global orienteering community during this difficult time.
Debertolis, who was also a qualified civil engineer, lived in Sweden and was pursuing a PhD at a university in Stockholm. His sudden passing has shocked both the sporting world and his academic circle. The extreme heat during the competition has drawn attention, though no official link to his collapse has been confirmed.
The World Games, held every four years, feature non-Olympic sports and attract elite athletes from around the globe. Debertolis’ death has cast a shadow over this year’s edition, with tributes pouring in from fellow athletes, coaches, and fans. His combination of sporting excellence, academic achievement, and dedication to his craft leaves a lasting legacy in the orienteering community.
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