Athletics at the 1986 Commonwealth Games

At the 1986 Commonwealth Games, the athletics events were held at the Meadowbank Stadium in Edinburgh, Scotland. A total of 41 events were contested, of which 23 by male and 18 by female athletes.

Athletics at the 13th Commonwealth Games
Dates	26 July–2 August 1986
Host city	Edinburgh, Scotland
Venue	Meadowbank Stadium
Level	Senior
Events	41
Participation	417 athletes from 19 nations
Records set	5 Games records
← 1982 Brisbane 1990 Auckland → 1986 Commonwealth Games

The majority of African, Asian and Caribbean countries boycotted the event due to the United Kingdom's sporting links with apartheid-era South Africa. As a result, the medallists came from only seven nations, comprising the four constituent countries of the UK, Australia, New Zealand and Canada. England easily topped the medal table with eighteen gold medals and 48 medals in total. Canada was second, with ten golds and 28 medals overall, while Australia took third place with nine golds and a total of 26 medals. The hosts Scotland won one gold and six medals while Northern Ireland (typically weak in the sport) had one of their best games, with one gold and four medals overall.