Tragic Loss in Orienteering: Mattia Debertolis Passes Away Following Competition Incident in Chengdu
On August 8, 2025, during an orienteering competition at the World Games held in Chengdu, China, Italian athlete Mattia Debertolis was found unconscious. Debertolis, 29, succumbed to his condition four days later, as confirmed in a joint statement by the World Games organizers and the International Orienteering Federation (IOF).
The World Games, a prominent multisport event spotlighting non-Olympic disciplines, have drawn thousands of athletes from around the globe. Debertolis’s incident occurred amid challenging weather conditions characterized by high temperatures exceeding 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit) and considerable humidity.
Despite immediate and specialized medical care at a leading hospital in China, he tragically passed away, though the specific cause of death has not been disclosed. At the time of the unfortunate event, Debertolis was competing in the men’s middle-distance final—a key event at the Games spanning a 6 km (3.7 miles) course with a vertical ascent of 180 meters (590 feet) and 20 designated checkpoints.
Coverage from World Games social media showcases the picturesque yet demanding route threading through crop fields and rural landscapes. Riccardo Rancan of Switzerland emerged victorious, completing the course in a swift time of 45 minutes and 22 seconds.
After the incident, Debertolis’s performance was marked as "Did Not Finish" in the official results, which also included 11 other athletes. Ranked 137th in the men’s Orienteering World Rankings, he had been a dedicated competitor since 2014, representing Italy in various World Championships and Cups.
Beyond his athletic pursuits, Debertolis was actively engaged in academic studies, working towards a PhD at KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm. In honor of his memory, Alfio Giomi, President of the Italian Orienteering Federation (FISO), urged the national team to wear black armbands during the World Mountain Bike Orienteering Championships in Poland, which commenced shortly after his passing.
Both the World Games organizers and the IOF expressed profound sorrow over the tragedy, extending heartfelt condolences to Debertolis’s family, friends, and the broader orienteering community. The ongoing World Games, which runs until August 17, features around 4,000 athletes competing in 253 events. Organizers pledge to support Debertolis’s family and the orienteering community during this difficult time.