Mattia Debertolis died at the World Games in China. The scorching heat and delayed rescue efforts are blamed.

The orienteering world is in mourning following the death of Mattia Debertolis , who was taken ill at the age of 29 during the World Games currently underway in China . The Italian athlete passed away shortly after being admitted to the Chengdu hospital .

Debertolis and the illness in China

Last Friday, Debertolis was competing in a race under the scorching sun and high humidity. The race course was 6 kilometers long, with 180 meters of elevation gain and 20 checkpoints in a rural setting, amidst cultivated fields and villages. The Italian was competing regularly when his GPS, a device all athletes carry, suddenly stopped transmitting, signaling that he was "stopped."

The causes of Debertolis illness

They're now trying to figure out what caused the 29-year-old's sudden illness. And whether more could have been done. In addition to the harsh weather conditions, according to initial reconstructions, rescue efforts were delayed because Debertolis felt unwell far from the patrolled areas. His condition, once he reached the hospital, immediately appeared critical.

Who was Mattia Debertolis?

A native of Trentino, Debertolis was a civil engineer working in Stockholm while pursuing a PhD at the city's University. He was a member of the orienteering club IFK Lidingo Sok. During his childhood and youth, he practiced orienteering, cross-country skiing, and soccer. His passion for navigation and finding control points led him to prioritize orienteering and pursue a career in elite orienteering.

Debertolis' career

In Italy, Debertolis was registered with the Park World Tour company and was one of the team's three captains. The orienteer represented Italy in several World Championships and World Cups. Among his best results was fifth place with the Italian relay team in the 2022 World Cup final. Last year, he was crowned Italian champion in the long course (also in 2022) and in the middle course. In 2017, he won both the sprint and long course races at the Mediterranean Championships in Turkey. The race in China was his first race outside Europe after ten years of sport.

Fugatti: "Debertolis, Trentino in the world"

The President of the Autonomous Province of Trento, Maurizio Fugatti , and the Provincial Councillor for Sport, Mattia Gottardi , in expressing their condolences to his mother Erica, his brother Nicolò, his family, his teammates and his entire sporting family, remembered Debertolis: "We express, on behalf of the Provincial Council, our deepest condolences for the passing of Mattia Debertolis, an athlete from Primiero who was part of the Italian National Orienteering Team, who worked in Stockholm as an engineer, who passed away last night in the hospital in Chengdu, China, where he was hospitalized following a serious illness suffered during the opening race of the World Games. His passion, his sporting talent and the dedication with which he represented Trentino and Italy on the competition fields will remain an example for the many young people who approach sport. His passing, so sudden and painful – it is written – leaves a profound void in those who knew and appreciated him, both as an athlete and as a professional. than as a person."