An athlete has died after taking part in the World Games in the Chinese city of Chengdu, organisers have said.
The organising bodies issued a statement on Tuesday to “confirm with great sadness the passing of Italian orienteering athlete, Mattia Debertolis”.
Debertolis, 29, had been found unconscious after collapsing last Friday during the men’s middle distance orienteering competition – the first medal event of the Chengdu Games.
Orienteering involves navigating an unmarked course with a map and compass, checking in at points along the route and aiming to finish in the quickest time.
Mattia Debertolis. Photo: Instagram/mattia_debertolis
“Despite receiving immediate expert medical care at one of China’s leading medical institutions, he passed away on [Tuesday],” said the statement on behalf of the International World Games Association (IWGA), the local organising committee (LOC) and the International Orienteering Federation (IOF).