Tragedy at World Games: Italian Orienteer Mattia Debertolis Dies After Collapse

Debertolis was ranked 137th in the men's Orienteering World Rankings

Italian orienteer Mattia Debertolis dies after collapsing during World Games in China, leaving the sports community in shock.

Italian orienteering athlete Mattia Debertolis tragically passed away on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, after collapsing during the World Games in Chengdu, China. Debertolis, 29, was participating in the men's middle-distance event when he was found unconscious on August 8. Despite receiving immediate expert medical care at one of China's leading medical institutions, he sadly succumbed to his condition four days later. The cause of death remains unknown.

Tributes and Condolences

The International Orienteering Federation (IOF) and World Games organizers extended their heartfelt condolences to Debertolis' family, friends, and the orienteering community.

IOF President Tom Hollowell described the loss as “unfathomable” and encouraged the global orienteering community to honor Debertolis' memory.

Debertolis was a talented athlete who had been competing internationally since 2014 and was ranked 137th in the men's Orienteering World Rankings.

Orienteering is a demanding sport that requires athletes to navigate through an unmarked course using a map and compass, while punching in at designated checkpoints along the route. The goal is to complete the course in the quickest time possible. In the case of the World Games event in Chengdu, China, the orienteering competition was held approximately 50 kilometers outside of the city center.

Challenging Conditions

The event took place in intense heat and humidity, with temperatures soaring above 30 degrees Celsius. These conditions added an extra layer of difficulty to the already physically demanding sport of orienteering, pushing athletes like Mattia Debertolis to their limits.

Orienteering is a demanding sport that tests athletes' navigation skills and physical endurance. Participants use a map and compass to navigate through an unmarked course, punching in at designated checkpoints to verify their route. The objective is to complete the course in the quickest time possible, requiring a combination of physical fitness, mental focus, and navigation expertise.

The World Games orienteering event, held about 50 kilometers outside of central Chengdu, pushed athletes to their limits. The intense heat and humidity, with temperatures exceeding 30 degrees, added to the challenge, making every step and decision crucial to success.

Mattia Debertolis collapsed while participating in the final of the men's middle-distance orienteering event at the World Games in Chengdu, China. The 29-year-old Italian athlete was found unconscious on August 8 and sadly passed away four days later, despite receiving immediate expert medical care at a top Chinese medical institution.

La Fiso (Federazione italiana sport orientamento) piange Mattia Debertolis: l’atleta è morto nell’ospedale di Chengdu, in Cina, in cui era stato ricoverato dopo aver avuto un malore nella prova di Middle ai World Games, disputata in condizioni di caldo estremo. pic.twitter.com/Y5GHRop8TM

— Tuttosport (@tuttosport) August 11, 2025

The Event

The men's middle-distance event featured a challenging six-kilometer course with 180 meters of ascent and 20 control points. Switzerland's Riccardo Rancan emerged victorious, completing the course in 45 minutes and 22 seconds. Debertolis, however, was one of 12 athletes listed as “Did Not Finish” in the official results.

Mattia Debertolis was a talented Italian orienteering athlete ranked 137th in the men's Orienteering World Rankings. With a career spanning over nine years, he had been competing at the international level since 2014. As part of the Italian team, Debertolis participated in several World Championships and World Cups, showcasing his skills in this demanding sport that requires navigation through unmarked courses using a map and compass.

Debertolis' Orienteering Career Highlights:

World Ranking: 137th in the men's Orienteering World Rankings, with a notable ranking of 31st in sprint events

International Experience: Participated in multiple World Championships and World Cups, including the 2024 World Orienteering Championships in Edinburgh, Scotland

Notable Performance: Finished 10th in the sprint event at the 2024 World Orienteering Championships in Genoa, Italy

Debertolis was also a PhD student at the KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Sweden, where he lived. His death has sent shockwaves through the orienteering community, with the International Orienteering Federation and World Games organizers extending their heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.

The 12th edition of the World Games, currently underway in Chengdu, China, will run until August 17. The event has been marked by a tragic incident involving Italian orienteering athlete Mattia Debertolis, who collapsed during the men's middle-distance event on August 8. Despite receiving immediate expert medical care at a top Chinese medical institution, Debertolis sadly passed away on August 12, 2025.

Tribute and Support

The World Games organizers and the International Orienteering Federation (IOF) have extended their heartfelt condolences to Debertolis' family, friends, and the orienteering community. “The World Games Family, the LOC and the IOF are struck by this tragedy and extend their heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the athlete and the whole orienteering community. Our thoughts are with those touched by this event,” the joint statement read. The organizers have pledged to continue supporting Debertolis' loved ones and the orienteering community, stating, “The IWGA, LOC, and IOF will continue to support the family of Mattia Debertolis and the Orienteering Community in every possible way.”