(June 16, 2012, Daily Mail)--Double 10,000m gold winner Haile Gebrselassie got into the Olympic spirit as he carried the torch during the relay around the UK.Gebrselassie was in South Shields and ran with the torch to The Leas on the South Tyneside coastline, which is also the finishing line for the Great North Run.
The Ethiopian, who will not run in London after failing to qualify for what would have been his fifth Games, then handed it to Great North Run founder and Olympic bronze winner Brendan Foster.
He carried the flame to the spot where the famous run - the world's second biggest half marathon - ends on the seafront.After Gebrselassie and Foster crossed the line together the Ethiopian said: 'I think it was a photo finish.'It was an amazing atmosphere and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for everyone involved.
'The Olympics isn't just about winning medals, it's about people coming together and taking part.'It was fantastic to be back running in the North East in front of these big crowds.'Foster said: 'It was great to give Haile Gebrselassie such a wonderful taste of the Olympic spirit. Read more from Daily Mail »
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