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Italian Orientation Athlet Mattia Debertolis died on Tuesday after collapsing during a competition in China on Friday, according to organizers of events. He was just 29.
International World Games Association (IWGA) issued a joint statement along with the local organizational committee (LOC) in the World Games 2025 Chengdu and International Orientation Federation (IOF) Tuesday, confirming the news of Debertolis’ sudden passing.
Members of Italy’s delegation waving their country’s national flags as they participate in the athletes’ parade during the opening ceremony of 2025 World Games at the Tianfu International Convention Center in Chengdu, in China’s southwestern Sichuan Province on August 7, 2025. After collaping during that competition said. (Jade Gao/AFP via Getty Images)
“The world gaming family, LOC and IOF are affected by this tragedy and extend their heartfelt compassion for the athlete’s family and friends and all to Orientation Community. Our thoughts are with those affected by this event. “
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According to the statement, Debertolis competed in the 12th edition of World Games in Chengdu, China Friday when he was discovered “unconscious” during men’s intermediate distance competition.
The organizers said he received “expert medical treatment” in a hospital in the field, but he was declared dead on Tuesday.
IOF President Tom Hollowell issued a separate statement that called Debertolis’ death a “tragic loss of life.”
“I am not able to describe adequate words in the inevitable depth of sadness in this tragic loss of life. Our thoughts are with everyone who mourns Mattia. I urge the global orientation society to honor his memory,” says Hollowell’s statement.
Silver Medalist’s Team Sweden L, Gold Medalist’s Team Switzerland C and Bronze Medalist’s Team The Czech Republic is under Victory Ceremony for the Mixed Sprint Relay Final of Orientation Event at World Games 2025 in Chengdu, Southwest China Sichuan Province, August 11, 2025. (Chen Cheng/Xinhua via Getty Images)
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No official cause of death was given.
Debertolis was a member of the Italian Orientation Association Team, competing in world play from 2025. He competed for the Italian national team in several World Cups and World Cups, including the World Cup final of 2022, where he placed the fifth, according to IOF’s statement.
Orientation is an outdoor sport that requires athletes to navigate between control points using maps and compasses.
In this image provided by the Xinhua News Agency, flags from the International Olympic Committee, flags of the International World Games Association, the Chinese national flag and flag of the organizational committee in World Games 2025 Chengdu are seen during the opening ceremony for the World Games 2025 in Chengdu, Southwestern China’s Sichuan -Provins, the 7th August, August 7, August 7, August 7, August 7, August 7, August 7, August 7, 2025. (Chen bin/xinhua via AP)
“In his childhood and adolescence, Mattia was active in orientation, cross -country ski and football. His love to navigate and find the control points made him prioritize orientation and pursue a career in elite orientation,” Hollowell’s statement continued.
“Mattia was not only an elite athlete, but also a very skilled civil engineer with investigations that were underway for a PhD at the University of Stockholm, where he lived and was part of the Orientation Club IFK Leuppeö.
