At the 1997 East Asian Games, the athletics events were held at the Busan Gudeok Stadium in Busan, South Korea from 10 to 19 May.

Forty-three events were contested, 23 by male and 20 by female athletes.

[1] In terms of country performance the competition was a closely contested affair between Japan, which dominated the men's events, and China which led in the women's proceedings.

In terms of athletes, Minori Hayakari provided a boost to Japan by winning silver in the 800 metres and a bronze in the 1500 metres event.

A number of athletes went on to further success at the 1998 Asian Games: Japan's Koji Ito and Koji Murofushi won gold in their events, and China had particular success with their field eventers as Ren Ruiping, Li Meisu and Li Shaojie all took Asian Games gold medals.