The IX Bolivarian Games (Spanish: Juegos Bolivarianos) were a multi-sport event held between December 4–14, 1981, at the Estadio de Barquisimeto in Barquisimeto, Venezuela. The Games were organized by the Bolivarian Sports Organization (ODEBO). In February 1980, Barquisimeto was chosen to substitute the initial host city Lima in Perú. The Comité Olímpico Peruano renounced because of financial problems.

The Games were officially opened by Venezuelan president Luís Herrera Campins. Torch lighter was fencer Carmen Militza Pérez.

A detailed history of the early editions of the Bolivarian Games between 1938 and 1989 was published in a book written (in Spanish) by José Gamarra Zorrilla, former president of the Bolivian Olympic Committee, and first president (1976-1982) of ODESUR. Gold medal winners from Ecuador were published by the Comité Olímpico Ecuatoriano.

A critical comment was published.

A total of 1516 athletes from 6 countries were reported to participate:

The following 18 sports were explicitly mentioned:

The medal count for these games is tabulated below. This table is sorted by the number of gold medals earned by each country. The number of silver medals is taken into consideration next, and then the number of bronze medals.

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