The 2011 Pan American Games, officially the XVI Pan American Games, was an international multi-sport event that was held from October 14–30, 2011, in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. Some events were held in the nearby cities of Ciudad Guzmán, Puerto Vallarta, Lagos de Moreno and Tapalpa. It was the largest multi-sport event of 2011, with approximately 6,000 athletes from 42 nations participating in 36 sports. Both the Pan American and Parapan American Games were organized by the Guadalajara 2011 Organizing Committee (COPAG). The 2011 Pan American Games were the third Pan American Games hosted by Mexico and the first held in the state of Jalisco. Previously, Mexico hosted the 1955 Pan American Games and the 1975 Pan American Games, both in Mexico City. The 2011 Parapan American Games were held 20 days after the Pan American Games have ended.
Athletics competitions at the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara was held from October 23 to October 30 at the newly built Telmex Athletics Stadium. The racewalking and marathon events were held on the temporary Guadalajara Circuit and Route and the Pan American Marathon circuit respectively. The sport of athletics is split into distinct sets of events: track and field events, road running events, and racewalking events.
In 2011, the foremost athletics event was the 2011 World Championships in Athletics in Daegu. The other major global level competition held in 2011 was the World Cross Country Championships.
The men's decathlon event of the athletics events at the 2011 Pan American Games was held the 24 and 25 of October at the Telmex Athletics Stadium. The defending Pan American Games champion is Maurice Smith of the Jamaica.
The men's long jump event of the athletics events at the 2011 Pan American Games was held between the 24 and 25 of October at the Telmex Athletics Stadium. The defending Pan American Games champion is Irving Saladino of the Panama.
The men's hammer throw event of the athletics events at the 2011 Pan American Games was held the 26 of October at the Telmex Athletics Stadium. The defending Pan American Games champion is James Steacy of the Canada.
The women's long jump event of the athletics events at the 2011 Pan American Games was held the 26 of October at the Telmex Athletics Stadium. The defending Pan American Games champion is Maurren Maggi of the Brazil.
The women's high jump competition at the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara was held on October 24 at the newly built Telmex Athletics Stadium. The defending Pan American Games champion is Romary Rifka of the Mexico.
The women's 100 metres hurdles sprint competition of the athletics events at the 2011 Pan American Games took place between the 25 and 26 of October at the Telmex Athletics Stadium. The defending Pan American Games champion was Delloreen Ennis-London of Jamaica.
The men's high jump event of the athletics events at the 2011 Pan American Games was held the 27 of October at the Telmex Athletics Stadium. The defending Pan American Games champion is Víctor Moya of the Cuba.
The women's javelin throw event of the athletics events at the 2011 Pan American Games was held the 27 of October at the Telmex Athletics Stadium. The defending Pan American Games champion is Osleidys Menéndez of the Cuba.
The men's javelin throw event of the athletics events at the 2011 Pan American Games was held the 28 of October at the Telmex Athletics Stadium. The defending Pan American Games champion is Guillermo Martínez of the Cuba.
The men's pole vault event of the athletics events at the 2011 Pan American Games was held the 28 of October at the Telmex Athletics Stadium. The defending Pan American Games champion is Fábio Gomes da Silva of the Brazil.
The women's 3000 metres steeplechase competition of the athletics events at the 2011 Pan American Games took place on the 28th October at the Telmex Athletics Stadium. The defending Pan American Games champion was Sabine Heitling of Brazil.
The women's discus throw event of the athletics events at the 2011 Pan American Games was held the 28 of October at the Telmex Athletics Stadium. The defending Pan American Games champion is Yarelys Barrios of the Cuba.
The men's marathon competition of the athletics events at the 2011 Pan American Games took place on the 30 of October at the Pan American Marathon circuit. The defending Pan American Games champion is Franck de Almeida of Brazil.
The women's 4 x 100 metres relay competition of the athletics events at the 2011 Pan American Games took place on the 28th October at the Telmex Athletics Stadium. The defending Pan American Games champion were Sheri-Ann Brooks, Tracy-Ann Rowe, Aleen Bailey and Peta-Gaye Gayle of Jamaica.
The women's 4 × 400 metres relay competition of the athletics events at the 2011 Pan American Games took place on the 28th October at the Telmex Athletics Stadium. The defending Pan American Games champion were Aymée Martínez, Daimy Pernia, Zulia Calatayud and Indira Terrero of Cuba.
The men's 4 x 100 metres relay competition of the athletics events at the 2011 Pan American Games took place on the 27 and 28 October at the Telmex Athletics Stadium. The defending Pan American Games champion were Vicente de Lima, Rafael Ribeiro, Basílio de Moraes Júnior and Sandro Viana of Brazil.
The men's 4 × 400 metres relay competition of the athletics events at the 2011 Pan American Games took place on the 27 and 28 October at the Telmex Athletics Stadium. The defending Pan American Games champion were Andrae Williams, Avard Moncur, Michael Matheau and Chris Brown of Bahamas.
