Italian orienteering athlete Mattia Debertolis, 29, has died after collapsing at the World Games in Chengdu, China, organizers announced Tuesday. Debertolis was found unconscious during the men’s middle-distance race in the orienteering competition on August 8, a Friday, and passed away four days later on Tuesday, August 12, despite receiving immediate and expert medical care.
The International World Games Association (IWGA), the local organizing committee (LOC) for The World Games 2025 Chengdu, and the International Orienteering Federation (IOF) issued a joint statement confirming his sudden passing. This tragic event has deeply affected the global sports community, particularly those involved in orienteering.
Organizers emphasized that Debertolis was rushed to a leading medical institution in China where he received comprehensive treatment following his collapse. The statement highlighted that despite these efforts, he was pronounced dead on Tuesday, underscoring the severity of the incident.
The joint statement conveyed profound sorrow, noting, “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.” This expression of grief resonated widely across the federations involved.
International Orienteering Federation President Tom Hollowell released a separate statement, articulating the profound sadness felt by the community. Hollowell stated, “I am not able to adequately describe in words the unfathomable depth of sadness in this tragic loss of life. Our thoughts are with all who mourn Mattia. I encourage the global orienteering community to honor his memory.”
No official cause of death was provided in any of the statements released by the organizing bodies. The silence surrounding the cause has left many questions unanswered, focusing attention on the suddenness of the athlete’s passing during a high-profile international event.
Debertolis was an integral part of the Italian Orienteering Federation’s (FISO) team participating in the 2025 World Games. He had established himself as a prominent figure in Italy’s national orienteering team over several years, consistently representing his country in various international competitions.
His career achievements on the international circuit included participation in multiple World Championships and World Cups. Notably, he contributed to Italy’s fifth-place finish at the World Cup Final 2022 Relay, a significant accomplishment in the sport.
In the official results for the men’s middle-distance event in which he collapsed, Debertolis was listed among 12 athletes who “Did Not Finish.” The race took place in temperatures exceeding 30 degrees Celsius, adding another environmental factor to consider in the context of his collapse.
Orienteering, the sport in which Debertolis excelled, is an outdoor adventure activity that combines physical exertion with mental acuity. It requires athletes to navigate across unfamiliar terrain using only a map and a compass, racing against the clock.
The sport challenges participants’ ability to problem-solve and conquer outdoor navigational challenges. Unlike many races, there is no set route; the objective is to find various unmarked checkpoints using the map and then reach the finish line in the quickest time possible.
Debertolis’s commitment to orienteering began early in his life. Born in the Primiero valley in Italy on August 4, 1996, he engaged in a variety of sports during his childhood and youth, including orienteering, cross-country skiing, and football.
However, his profound “love for navigating and finding the control points made him prioritize orienteering and pursue a career within elite orienteering,” as noted in IOF’s statement. This passion guided his athletic pursuits and led him to the highest levels of the sport.
Beyond his remarkable athletic career, Mattia Debertolis was also recognized for his significant academic and professional accomplishments. He was trained as a civil engineer and held a civil engineering degree from the University of Trento.
At the time of his death, Debertolis was furthering his education, actively studying for a PhD at the University of Stockholm, where he also resided. His intellectual pursuits showcased a dedication to learning that paralleled his commitment to elite sports.
In Stockholm, he was an active member of the orienteering club IFK Lidingö, demonstrating his continued engagement with the sport even while pursuing advanced studies. This combination of athletic excellence and academic rigor was a defining characteristic of his life.
Furthermore, Debertolis was known for supporting his family with their local hotel in his home valley of Primiero. This personal detail reveals a multifaceted individual who contributed to his community and family alongside his demanding athletic and academic schedules.
The World Games is a distinguished multi-sport event that takes place every four years, featuring sports and disciplines not typically included in the Olympic Games. The 12th edition of the World Games, hosted in Chengdu, China, from August 7-17, brings together more than 100 nations.
The multi-sport nature of the event aims to provide a grand stage for various alternative sports, offering athletes like Debertolis an opportunity to compete at an elite international level. The tragic incident casts a somber shadow over the ongoing competition.
Following the news of his death, the Italian Orienteering Federation (FISO) announced that mountain bike orienteering races being held in Poland would honor Debertolis. The awards ceremony for these races would feature flags at half-mast, a solemn tribute to his memory.
Statements from the organizing bodies, including the IWGA, LOC, and IOF, affirmed their ongoing commitment to assist Debertolis’s family and the broader orienteering community in every conceivable manner during this challenging period. This support underscores the close-knit nature of the international sports community.
The unexpected loss of Mattia Debertolis has left an indelible mark on the world of orienteering and beyond. His dedication to both athletic excellence and intellectual growth, combined with his passion for navigating the wilderness, exemplified a truly inspiring individual.
His passing serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of life, even for highly conditioned athletes. The orienteering community, along with his family and friends, will undoubtedly continue to cherish his memory and honor the legacy of a talented athlete and scholar gone too soon.
