Athletics at the 2014 South American Games took place between March 13–16, 2014. The event was held at the Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos in Santiago, Chile. A total of 44 events were contested, 22 by men and 22 by women. Detailed reports were given by Eduardo Biscayart for the IAAF. A total of 29 games records (GR), 7 national records (NR), and 11 world leading marks were set.

The athletics events at the 2010 South American Games were held from March 20–23 at the Alfonso Galvis Duque Stadium in Medellín, Colombia. The competition also acted at the 4th South American Under-23 Championships. A total of 42 events were contested, 21 by male athletes and 21 by female athletes. The stadium was 1541 metres above sea level, thus some athletes' performances benefited from altitude assistance.