Debertolis fell ill while competing at the World Games in China and is in critical condition.

The conditions of Mattia Debertolis , the athlete of the Italian National Orienteering Team , who felt ill on Friday during the Middle race at the World Games in Chengdu , China, are defined as “critical”.

Debertolis, a 29-year-old civil engineer from Trentino who works in Stockholm, was competing regularly when his GPS device, which all athletes carry, suddenly stopped transmitting, signaling he was stationary. This immediately triggered rescue operations. The runner was located and rushed to the hospital: "The medical staff describes the athlete's clinical condition as critical. Consultations are underway, including with other Chinese hospitals, to determine the most appropriate treatment plan," the Italian Orienteering Federation said in a statement.

Debertolis' mother and brother arrived in China, accompanied by Gabriele Viale, president of PWT Italia (the athlete's club) and, on this occasion, representative of the FISO president.