The Athletics Tournament at the 1999 Summer Universiade took place in the new Estadio Son Moix in Palma de Mallorca, Spain from 9-13 July,1999.

Romania and Cuba were the next strongest nations, with six and five gold medals respectively.

Romania was the only other nation to reach double figures in the medal tally.

Among the returning 1997 champions, Cuban Yoelbi Quesada won the men's triple jump for a second time, while three women managed that feat: Olena Shekhovtsova (long jump), Olena Hovorova (triple jump) and Mihaela Melinte (hammer throw).

Melinte also went on to win the global title at the 1999 World Championships in Athletics held the following month.