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Tragedy at the World Games: Italian orienteer dies after going missing in the woods

Трагедія на Всесвітніх Іграх: Італійський спортсмен-орієнтувальник загинув після зникнення в лісі. Photo: glavcom.ua

Tragedy at the World Games in China


Italian orienteer Mattia Debertolis died after completing the medium distance at the World Games in China. The 29-year-old athlete lost consciousness on August 8, and medics tried in vain to save him.



The tragedy occurred in the Chinese city of Chengdu, where the orienteering competitions were held. Mattia got off route and got lost in the forest paths. Even after the GPS tracker indicated he had stopped moving, the rescue service quickly located him, but unfortunately, the medical assistance proved futile.



Doctors fought for the life of the 29-year-old Italian for four days. During this time, Debertolis's mother, brother, and wife managed to arrive in Chengdu. On Tuesday morning, the athlete died


While the official cause of death remains unknown, Italian media note that the weather conditions were challenging with high temperatures and humidity during the competition. Debertolis represented Italy at the World Championships and World Cup competitions in orienteering.


Continuing the next round of competitions, Ukrainian kickboxers amazed everyone, winning all four quarter-finals.



The event took place during the World Games in China, where the Italian athlete died from frostbite during orienteering competitions. Despite the efforts of the medics, his life could not be saved. The award of the Ukrainian kickboxers at the same Games became a kind of light in the darkness of this tragedy.