The hosts, Spain, were runners-up with 11 golds and 31 medals overall, while Brazil took third place in the final tally.

The event was held to coincide with the city's celebration of the 200th anniversary of the meetings of the Cortes of Cádiz, which paved the way towards the liberation of Spanish America.

[2] Brazil's Fabiana Murer provided the highlight of the championships by winning the pole vault with a South American record of 4.85 m – placing her in fourth on the all-time lists.

Nilson André scored a sprint double by taking the men's 100 and 200 metres titles.

[3] *   Host nation (Spain)The participation of all twenty-nine members Asociación Iberoamericana de Atletismo was a new record high for the championships.