Athletics competitions at the 1981 Bolivarian Games were held in Barquisimeto, Venezuela, between December 4–14, 1981. A detailed history of the early editions of the Bolivarian Games between 1938and 1989 was published in a book written (in Spanish) by José GamarraZorrilla, former president of the Bolivian Olympic Committee, and firstpresident (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.