| I Ibero-American Championships | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Dates | 23–25 September |
| Host city | Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain |
| Venue | Estadi Serrahima |
| Events | 37 |
| Participation | 143 athletes from 18 nations |
The 1983 Ibero-American Championships (Spanish: I Campeonato Iberoamericano de Atletismo) was an athletics competition which was held at the Estadi Serrahima in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain from 23 to 25 September 1983. A total of 37 events were contested, of which 22 by male and 15 by female athletes. It was the first edition of the Ibero-American Championships, although a precursor to the tournament, the Juegos Iberoamericanos (Ibero-American Games), had been held in 1960 and 1962. [1] Eighteen countries participated, drawing from the 22 members of the Asociación Ibero-Americano de Atletismo (Ibero-American Athletics Association). [2]
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Cuba won the most gold medals with a total of nineteen, but it was Spain which had the largest overall haul, beating Cuba's 24 with a total of 33 medals. Brazil and Portugal, were the third and fourth most successful nations of the competition, although the latter won the largest number of silver medals (12) over the course of the three-day competition. The Ibero-American Championships succeeded in attracting a number of high-profile athletes from Ibero-American countries, thus beginning the history of the long-running championships.
Cuban athletes Luis Delís and Maritza Martén both doubled up to win the shot put and discus throw events for men and women, respectively. Aurora Cunha of Portugal took the victory in the women's 1500 metres and 3000 metres while Chile's Alejandra Ramos finished runner-up in both the 800 metres and 1500 m. Luisa Ferrer came close to a sprint double, but was beaten by Esmeralda de Jesus Garcia in the 100 metres. Two records from the championships were particularly long-lasting: Delís's discus record stood until the 2010 Ibero-American Championships and Domingo Ramón's mark in the 3000 metres steeplechase remains the championship record. [1] [3]
It was the only edition of the Championships to only allow one athlete per country in a given event. Some countries fielded more athletes but these were ineligible to win medals.
