In a heartbreaking incident at the World Games, 29-year-old Mattia Debertolis collapsed during an orienteering event last Friday and tragically died four days later on Tuesday. Organisers found the athlete unconscious while he was participating in the men's middle-distance final, which took place in sweltering temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius. World Games officials confirmed that despite being rushed to one of China's premier medical facilities for immediate care, he could not be saved.
Currently, the specific cause of Debertolis’ death remains undetermined. The Italian athlete, ranked 137th in the world, was representing his national team and notably finished 5th in the 2022 World Cup final. His unfortunate collapse has been marked by an official result indicating he was one of the 12 athletes who did not finish the event.
World Games organisers expressed their condolences and commitment to providing support to Debertolis’ family and the broader orienteering community during this difficult time.
Currently, the specific cause of Debertolis’ death remains undetermined. The Italian athlete, ranked 137th in the world, was representing his national team and notably finished 5th in the 2022 World Cup final. His unfortunate collapse has been marked by an official result indicating he was one of the 12 athletes who did not finish the event.
World Games organisers expressed their condolences and commitment to providing support to Debertolis’ family and the broader orienteering community during this difficult time.
