Athletics was contested from October 7 to October 14 at the 2002 Asian Games in Busan Asiad Main Stadium, Busan, South Korea.

A total of 459 athletes from 39 nations took part in the competition.

Afghanistan, Bhutan, Brunei, Laos and Maldives were the only nations without a representative in the events.

A total of 459 athletes from 39 nations competed in athletics at the 2002 Asian Games: