CHENGDU, China (Kashmir English): Italian orienteering athlete Mattia Debertolis died on Tuesday at the World Games in Chengdu, China, after collapsing during competition some four days ago, organisers said.
Debertolis, 29, was found unconscious during an orienteering event on August 8 and died four days later, according to a joint statement from World Games organisers and the International Orienteering Federation (IOF).
The World Games is a multisport global event held every four years for disciplines not included in the Olympic Games.
“Despite receiving immediate expert medical care at one of China’s leading medical institutions, he passed away,” the statement said.
There were no details, however, about the cause of death.
Orienteering sees athletes navigate an unmarked course with a map and compass, punching in at designated spots along the route in the quickest time.
According to the reports, the event was held about 50 kilometres outside of central Chengdu in intense heat and humidity, with temperatures above 30 degrees.
The Italian athlete, from Primiero in eastern Italy, collapsed in the final of the men’s middle-distance event.
The six-km course featured 180m of ascent and 20 control points that athletes must visit.
Athletes can be seen in footage from the World Games’ social media accounts running through crop fields and villages on a largely rural course.
Switzerland’s Riccardo Rancan won the competition by completing the course in 45 minutes and 22 seconds.
“I needed to acclimatise quickly with hot and humid conditions. I think I managed quite well,” Rancan was quoted by Chinese state media as having said.
Debertolis was listed as “Did Not Finish” in official results, along with 11 other athletes.
Debertolis was ranked 137th in the men’s Orienteering World Rankings and had been competing since 2014, the IOF website suggests.
He was part of the Italian team at several World Championships and World Cups.
The athlete, alongside his training, was studying for a PhD at the KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, where he lived.
12th edition of the World Games
This is the 12th edition of the World Games which runs until August 17, with approximately 4,000 athletes competing in 253 events.
The men’s middle-distance orienteering was the first medal event of the Chengdu World Games.
World Games organisers and the IOF were “struck by this tragedy and extend their heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the athlete and the whole orienteering community”, the joint statement read.
“Our thoughts are with those touched by this event.” Organisers will “continue to support the family of Mattia Debertolis and the orienteering community in every possible way”, it added.
