| Athletics at the IX Bolivarian Games | |
|---|---|
| Host city |
Barquisimeto, Venezuela |
| Date(s) | December 4–14 |
| Level | Senior |
| Events | 38 (23 men, 15 women) |
|
|
|
Athletics competitions at the 1981 Bolivarian Games were held in Barquisimeto, Venezuela, between December 4–14, 1996.
A detailed history of the early editions of the Bolivarian Games between 1938 and 1989 was published in a book written (in Spanish) by José Gamarra Zorrilla, former president of the Bolivian Olympic Committee, and first president (1976-1982) of ODESUR. Gold medal winners from Ecuador were published by the Comité Olímpico Ecuatoriano.
A total of 38 events were contested, 23 by men and 15 by women.
Medal winners were published.