[1] The competition marked the inauguration of a newly built track at the host stadium, which was part of Mar del Plata's developments for the 1995 Pan American Games.

Due to its late scheduling in the annual track and field season, the competition did not attract some of the region's top athletes – Cuba, Portugal and Spain all sent less than full strength delegations.

[3] Sueli dos Santos won the women's javelin with a South American record throw, but this mark was later removed as she was disqualified for doping.

Carlos Gats won the men's 100 metres with a slow, wind-assisted time of 10.50 seconds to become the first Argentine to win an international 100 m race since Gerardo Bönnhoff in 1947.

Sebastián Keitel of Chile completed a men's 200/400 m double, while Colombia's Ximena Restrepo achieved the same feat and also won in both relays, taking four gold medals from the championships.