At the 1997 Mediterranean Games, the athletics events were held at the Stadio San Nicola in Bari, Italy from 15–19 June 1997.

[1] A total of forty-three events were contested, of which 23 by male and 20 by female athletes.

Morocco, Algeria, Spain and Slovenia also featured prominently on the podiums.

Greece won both the 100 metres titles through Angelos Pavlakakis and Ekaterini Thanou, both of whom ran meet record times.

Morocco's Nezha Bidouane took the women's 400 metres hurdles title, an event in which she would later win at the 1997 World Championships.