Italian orienteering athlete Mattia Debertolis tragically passed away on Tuesday after collapsing during the men’s middle-distance race at the World Games in Chengdu, China. The 29-year-old was found unconscious last Friday amid intense heat and humidity, with temperatures soaring above 30 degrees Celsius. Despite receiving immediate and expert medical care at one of China’s top medical institutions, Debertolis succumbed to his condition four days later, organizers confirmed.

Debertolis, a dedicated athlete ranked 137th globally in the men’s orienteering world rankings, had been competing internationally since 2014, representing Italy in numerous World Championships and World Cup events. Orienteering, a sport that demands physical endurance and technical skills in navigation through unfamiliar terrain using only a map and compass, was showcased in this high-stakes competition where Debertolis collapsed. The event took place about 50 kilometers outside Chengdu, under punishing conditions that challenged all competitors.

The World Games family, local organizing committee, and International Orienteering Federation expressed their profound sadness and extended their heartfelt condolences to Debertolis’s family, friends, and the broader orienteering community. Beyond his athletic achievements, Debertolis was also pursuing a PhD in civil engineering at the KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, where he was an active member of the orienteering club. Organizers pledged ongoing support to his family and the orienteering world during this difficult time.