A total of 47 events were contested, 24 by men and 23 by women, and 12 Games records were set.

Cuba – typically one of the strongest teams in the region – was absent from the contest, but the quality of the performances on show remained high regardless.

Among the stand-out competitors of the competition, Churandy Martina played a part in all his country's medals, winning their two golds with a 100 metres/200 metres double and anchoring the men's 4 × 100 metres relay team to the bronze medal.

Venezuelan athlete Eduard Villanueva came close to the same feat in the men's events, but was runner-up over the longer distance.

*   Host nation (Puerto Rico)Thirty of the 31 countries competing at the games were represented in the athletics competition, with 23 of these reaching the medal table.