Organizers said on Tuesday that four days after passing out during an event at the World Games in Chengdu, Italian orienteering competitor Mattia Debertolis had died.
On August 8, during the men’s middle-distance final, the 29-year-old was found unconscious. He later died even while being treated at one of China’s most prominent medical hospitals. The cause of death was not made public by authorities.
With temperatures reaching more than 30°C (86°F), the race occurred in oppressive heat and humidity. Along with 11 other competitors, Debertolis failed to finish the 6-kilometer course featuring 180 meters of climbing, 20 checkpoints, and navigating only with a map and compass.
The Swiss winner, Riccardo Rancan, finished the course in 45 minutes and later observed how difficult it was to get used to the conditions.
Originally from Primiero in eastern Italy, Debertolis had been competing internationally since 2014, finishing 137th in the men’s Orienteering World Rankings. Representing Italy at several World Cups and World Championships, he was doing his PhD at Stockholm’s KTH Royal Institute of Technology.
President of the Italian Orienteering Federation Alfio Giomi stated the national team will wear black armbands during the World Mountain Bike Orienteering Championships in Poland to honor Debertolis’ family’s request to compete in his name.
In a joint statement, World Games organisers and the International Orienteering Federation expressed condolences, saying they were “struck by this tragedy”
