Athletes left staring into empty space at Luzhniki

Russian cadets watch from the stands the morning session of the IAAF World Athletics Championships at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow August 12, 2013. REUTERS/Dylan Martinez

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Athletes were again left staring into empty space on the third day of the world athletics championships at Luzhniki Stadium where the lack of crowds has become as big a talking point as the performances on the track.

"It's dead, there's no atmosphere," Olympic champion Felix Sanchez told reporters after winning his 400 metres hurdles heat on Monday.