| 1981 South American Championships in Athletics | |
|---|---|
| Dates | 5–8 November |
| Host city | La Paz, Bolivia |
| Venue | Estadio Olímpico Hernando Siles |
The 1981 South American Championships in Athletics were held at the Estadio Olímpico Hernando Siles in La Paz, Bolivia, between 5 and 8 November. The stadium was located 3600 metres above sea level, which is said to help the performance in some events.
It was the first edition to feature women's 400 metres hurdles.