11:00AM, Mon Jun 18, 2012

Olympic Gold Medallist Haile Gebrselassie To Carry Olympic Torch In South Tyneside

By Neal Walker Location: South Shields

Olympic great Haile Gebrselassie will take part in the Olympic torch relay through Tyne and Wear on Saturday.

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Gebrselassie, from Ethiopia, won Olympic gold in the 10,000 metres in both 1996 and 2000, and also won four World Championships over the same distance.

Hebburn-born Brendan Foster will also be taking part in the relay. Foster won the bronze medal in the 10,000 metres at the 1976 Olympics, and founded The Great North Run.

Gebrselassie will hand over the Olympic Torch to Foster at The Great North Run finishing line on The Leas.

The Olympic Flame will be abseiled down the side of The Sage on Saturday morning, and will complete a lap of Gateshead International Stadium, before making its way to South Shields.

It is expected to travel along The Leas between 8.05am and 8.21am.

Deputy Leader of South Tyneside Council, Councillor Alan Kerr, said: "To have two such legendary athletes carrying the torch through South Tyneside is a real coup for the Borough.

"I'm sure our residents will give these sporting stars, as well as our local and international torch bearers, a warm and enthusiastic welcome."

The torch will visit Souter Lighthouse before being carried through Whitburn and onwards to Sunderland.

It is expected to arrive in Roker at 9.10am, and will pass through Dame Dorothy Street, North Bridge Street, over Wearmouth Bridge, along Fawcett Street, Mowbray Park and Chester Road.

The torch then re-enters Gateshead, and will visit the Angel of the North, before making its way out of Tyne and Wear via Chowdene, Swalwell and Blaydon.

Interactive map: Olympic Torch Relay route and runners