Italian orienteering athlete Mattia Debertolis has died after collapsing during the World Games in China.
The 29-year-old was taken to hospital after being found unconscious during the men’s middle-distance competition last Friday.
“Despite receiving immediate expert medical care at one of China’s leading medical institutions, he passed away on 12 August 2025,” a joint statement from the International World Games Association, the local organising committee (LOC) and the International Orienteering Federation (IOF) said.
“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.
“The IWGA, LOC, and IOF will continue to support the family of Mattia Debertolis and the orienteering community in every possible way.”
The statement did not include details about the cause of death and why the athlete collapsed.
Orienteering is an outdoor navigation sport that sees participants use a map and compass to find their way across unfamiliar terrain at speed.
Debertolis had competed in several world championships and world cup events, the IOF said in a statement.
“Mattia was not only an elite athlete, but also a highly skilled civil engineer, with studies in progress for a PhD at the university in Stockholm, where he lived and was part of the orienteering club IFK Lidingö,” it added.
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The city of Chengdu, in China’s southwestern Sichuan province, is hosting the 12th multi-sport World Games.
The event features fringe sports and disciplines not contested at the Olympics.
