The I Southern Cross Games were a multi-sport event held from November 3 to November 12, 1978, in La Paz, Bolivia, with some events in Cochabamba and Santa Cruz de la Sierra.
The II Southern Cross Games were a multi-sport event held in 1982 in Rosario, Argentina, with some events in Santa Fe, Buenos Aires (sailing) and Esperanza. This was the second and last edition under this name of what would be renamed the South American Games, organized by the South American Sports Organization (ODESUR). An appraisal of the games and detailed medal lists were published elsewhere, emphasizing the results of the Argentinian teams. Torch lighter was rower Gerardo Constantini.
The III South American Games were a multi-sport event held in 1986 in Santiago, Chile, with some events in Concepción and Viña del Mar. The Games were organized by the South American Sports Organization (ODESUR) and were initially awarded to Brazil at its 1982 congress held in Rosario. However, four months later, Brazil declined the offer. Therefore, Guayaquil and Quito in Ecuador were chosen, but due to lack of government support the games were finally moved to Santiago, Chile.
The IV South American Games were a multi-sport event held in 1990 in Lima, Peru, with some events in Arequipa and Trujillo. The Games were organized by the South American Sports Organization (ODESUR). An appraisal of the games and detailed medal lists were published elsewhere, emphasizing the results of the Argentinian teams.
The V South American Games were a multi-sport event held in 1994 in Valencia, Carabobo, Venezuela, with some events in Puerto Cabello and Caracas (shooting). The Games were organized by the South American Sports Organization (ODESUR). An appraisal of the games and detailed medal lists were published elsewhere, emphasizing the results of the Argentinian teams.
The VI South American Games were a multi-sport event held in 1998 in Cuenca, Azuay, Ecuador, with some events in Azogues (futsal), Gualaceo (boxing), Guayaquil, Paute (wrestling), and Quito (fencing). The Games were organized by the South American Sports Organization (ODESUR). An appraisal of the games and detailed medal lists were published elsewhere, emphasizing the results of the Argentinian teams.
The VII South American Games were a multi-sport event held in 2002 in Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Curitiba, and Belém; all in Brazil. The Games were organized by the South American Sports Organization (ODESUR).
The VIII South American Games were a multi-sport event held from 9 to 19 November 2006 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, with some events taking place in Mar del Plata. An appraisal of the games and detailed medal lists were published elsewhere, emphasizing the results of the Argentinian teams.
Athletics competitions have been held at the quadrennial South American Games since the inaugural edition of the Southern Cross Games in 1978 in La Paz, Bolivia.
The 34th South American Junior Championships in Athletics were held at the Estádio Olímpico do Pará in Belém, Brazil from August 1–3, 2002 in conjunction with the 7th South American (ODESUR) Games. Athletes from the Netherlands Antilles competed solely for the South American Games, and were considered as guests for the South American Junior Championships.
Athletics events at the 1978 Southern Cross Games were held at the Estadio Olímpico Hernando Siles in La Paz, Bolivia in November. The stadium was one of the first in South America equipped with a synthetic track. A total of 35 events were contested, 22 by men and 13 by women.
Athletics events at the 1982 Southern Cross Games were held at the Centro de Alto Rendimiento Deportivo Pedro Candioti (CARD), equipped with one of the first synthetic tracks in Argentina, in Santa Fe, Argentina. A total of 39 events were contested, 23 by men and 16 by women.
Athletics events at the 1986 South American Games were held at the Estadio Nacional in Santiago, Chile. A total of 40 events were contested, 23 by men and 17 by women.
Athletics events at the 1990 South American Games were held at the Estadio Atlético de San Luis next to the Estadio Nacional in Lima, Perú, between December 6-9, 1990. A total of 42 events were contested, 23 by men and 19 by women.
Athletics events at the 1994 South American Games were held at the Polideportivo Misael Delgado in Valencia, Venezuela. A total of 43 events were contested, 24 by men and 19 by women.
Athletics events at the 1998 South American Games were held at the Coliseo Mayor de Deportes Jefferson Pérez next to the Estadio Alejandro Serrano Aguilar in Cuenca, Ecuador, between October 26–30, 1998. A total of 45 events were contested, 24 by men and 21 by women. Brazil and Venezuela did not participate in the athletics events.
Athletics events at the 2002 South American Games were held at the Estádio Olímpico do Pará in Belém, Brazil, between August 1–3, 2002. For the first time, the tournament was restricted to junior athletes (U-20). The results were used to determine the medals awarded for this year's South American Junior Championships.
Athletics events at the 2006 South American Games were held at the Centro Nacional de Alto Rendimiento Deportivo in Buenos Aires, Argentina, between November 10–12, 2006.
The 2017 South American Youth Games, also known as the II South American Youth Games, were a multi-sport event celebrated in Santiago, Chile. All 14 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) of the ODESUR were expected to compete.
Different gymnastics disciplines have been contested at the South American Games. Artistic gymnastics has been part of the program since 1978. Rhythmic gymnastics was first introduced in 1990. Trampoline gymnastics entered the program in 2018.
