Athletics competitions at the 1973 Bolivarian Games were held at the Estadio Revolución in Panama City, Panama, between February 17 - March 3, 1973.

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.

[1] Gold medal winners from Ecuador were published by the Comité Olímpico Ecuatoriano.

[2] A total of 34 events were contested, 22 by men and 12 by women.

*   Host nation (Panama)