An orienteering athlete has died aged 29 while competing at the World Games.

Italian Mattia Debertolis passed away on Tuesday four days after collapsing during the competition in Chengdu, China.

Debertolis was treated in hospital after being found by organisers. His cause of death is unknown at this stage.

He was taking part in the men's middle-distance event at the time of his collapse in temperatures above 30 degrees.

"Despite receiving immediate expert medical care at one of China's leading medical institutions, he passed away," World Games organisers said in a statement.

"[We will] continue to support the family of Debertolis and the orienteering community in every possible way."

International Orienteering Federation (IOF) President Tom Hollowell said he was "not able to adequate

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