Italian Athlete Mattia Debertolis Found Dead During World Games Competition In China

Mattia Debertolis, an orienteering athlete out of Italy, passed away Tuesday after he was discovered unresponsive during the World Games competition that was taking place in Chengdu, China, according to organizers. He was 29 years old.

Per a joint statement from the International Orienteering Federation (IOF) and organizers of the World Games, Debertolis was found unconscious Aug. 8 while an orienteering event was live. Four days later, he died.

Every four years, the World Games is held as a multisport event, and it features disciplines that aren’t in the Olympics. (RELATED: Driver Robbie Brewer Dead Following Medical Emergency During North Carolina Race)

“Despite receiving immediate expert medical care at one of China’s leading medical institutions, he passed away,” read the statement, per Breitbart.

Information regarding Debertolis’ cause of death was not provided.

The World Games were being held during a stretch of hot and humid weather, with temperatures hitting over 30 degrees celsius.

An Italian athlete has died after being found unconscious mid-orienteering race, the International World Games Association (IWGA) confirms.

Mattia Debertolis was 29.https://t.co/Td3La4o89D

— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) August 12, 2025

During orienteering events, athletes go through a course that’s unmarked, doing so with both a compass and map. The goal is to punch into spots that are designated along the course with the fastest time.

From the eastern Italian town of Primiero, Debertolis was competing in the men’s middle-distance final, which is the Games‘ first medal event.

This year’s World Games are the 12th edition and last until Aug. 17. A total of 4,000 athletes compete across 253 events.