Italian sportsman Mattia Debertolis dies after competing at World Games in China
In this image provided by Xinhua News Agency, the flag of the International Olympic Committee, the flag of the International World Games Association, the Chinese national flag and the flag of the Organizing Committee of the World Games 2025 Chengdu are seen during the opening ceremony of the World Games 2025 in Chengdu, southwestern China’s Sichuan Province, on Aug. 7, 2025. (Chen Bin/Xinhua via AP)
The Italian sportsman Mattia Debertolis, who competed in foot orienteering, has died after featuring in an event at the World Games in China’s southwest city of Chengdu.
International Orienteering Federation president Tom Hollowell said in a statement on Tuesday that he was “not able to adequately describe in words the unfathomable depth of sadness in this tragic loss of life.”
World Games organizers had previously said that Debertolis, 29, fell unconscious while participating in a men’s middle-distance event last Friday.
Debertolis was a member of the Italy team and had participated in several World Championships and World Cups. He placed fifth in the 2022 World Cup final relay.
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