1997 in the sport of athletics

This article contains an overview of the year 1997 in athletics.

World

 * IAAF Grand Prix Final
 * World Championships
 * World Cross Country Championships
 * World Half Marathon Championships
 * World Indoor Championships
 * World Race Walking Cup
 * World Student Games

Regional

 * CARIFTA Games
 * Central American and Caribbean Championships
 * East Asian Games
 * European Cross Country Championships
 * European Junior Championships
 * European U23 Championships
 * Mediterranean Games
 * Pan American Junior Championships
 * South American Championships
 * South American Junior Championships