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Olympic torch: Relay begins day 29 with Sage building abseil Olympic torch: PC David Rathband's daughter carries flame blindfolded
(40 minutes later)
A torchbearer abseiled down The Sage building in Gateshead to start day 29 of the relay to href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/torchrelay/day29" >Durham. The daughter of PC David Rathband, who was blinded by gunman Raoul Moat, has carried the Olympic torch blindfolded in memory of her late father.
The flame was taken on a lap around Gateshead International Stadium and later visits the Angel of the North. Mia, 13, ran through Whitburn, near Newcastle, in place of her father who was nominated to take part in the relay but died in February.
In South Shields, distance running legend Haile Gebrselassie and founder of the Great North Run Brendan Foster each completed a leg of the journey. A torchbearer abseiled down Gateshead's Sage building to start day 29 of the relay which is travelling to href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/torchrelay/day29" >Durham.
The daughter of PC David Rathband carried the torch in place of her late father, who was blinded by Raoul Moat. Distance running champion Haile Gebrselassie also completed a leg.
Thirteen-year-old Mia Rathband donned a blindfold, in recognition of what happened to her father, as she carried the flame through the coastal village of Whitburn. href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-18203356" >PC David Rathband was shot and blinded by Moat while sat in a patrol car in Newcastle in 2010.
href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-18203356" >PC David Rathband, who was shot and blinded by Moat while on patrol in Newcastle in 2010, had been nominated to carry the flame but died in February. Despite his disability, he tried to rebuild his life and set up the Blue Lamp Foundation which helps emergency services personnel injured in the line of duty.
In a statement, Mia's mother Kath Rathband said she knows David "would be very proud to see his Mia carry the torch". On 29 February he was found hanged at his home in Blyth, Northumberland.
The day's 99-mile journey will see the flame passed between 131 torchbearers, as the relay travels through Gateshead, South Shields, Whitburn, Sunderland, Gateshead: Low Fell, Gateshead: Blaydon, Prudhoe, Stocksfield, Hexham, Riding Mill, Consett, Moorside, Castleside, Tow Law, Esh, Langley Park and ends in Durham. Following this Mia asked if she could run in his place.
An evening celebration will take place at Durham University Racecourse. In a statement, Mia's mother Kath Rathband said David "would be very proud to see his Mia carry the torch".
Following Friday's ride on a zip-wire from the Tyne Bridge, the relay continued the theme of unusual methods of travel when it began Saturday's journey shortly after 07:00 BST. Following Friday's ride on a zip-wire from the Tyne Bridge, the torch relay continued the theme of unusual methods of travel when it began Saturday's journey shortly after 07:00 BST.
TV presenterTV presenter
Torchbearer Richard Jackson carried the flame as he abseiled off The Sage, an iconic building which is a centre for musical education, performance and conferences, located on the south bank of the River Tyne. At the start of the day Richard Jackson carried the flame as he abseiled off The Sage, an iconic building which is a centre for musical education, performance and conferences, located on the south bank of the River Tyne.
About an hour later, the torch was taken around the athletics track at Gateshead International Stadium - the venue where, in 2006, Jamaican sprinter Asafa Powell equalled his own then-world record of 9.77secs for the 100m.About an hour later, the torch was taken around the athletics track at Gateshead International Stadium - the venue where, in 2006, Jamaican sprinter Asafa Powell equalled his own then-world record of 9.77secs for the 100m.
In South Shields, distance running legend Haile Gebrselassie and founder of the Great North Run Brendan Foster each completed a leg of the journey, as did 1,500m champion Steve Cram in Sunderland.
The day's 99-mile journey will see the flame passed between 131 torchbearers, as the relay travels through Gateshead, South Shields, Whitburn, Sunderland, Gateshead: Low Fell, Gateshead: Blaydon, Prudhoe, Stocksfield, Hexham, Riding Mill, Consett, Moorside, Castleside, Tow Law, Esh, Langley Park and ends in Durham.
An evening celebration will take place at Durham University Racecourse.
In another of the day's highlights, the torch will visit the Angel of the North.In another of the day's highlights, the torch will visit the Angel of the North.
The Anthony Gormey-designed steel structure, which is 20m (65ft) and has a wing span of 54m (177ft), has stood on a hill on the southern edge of Low Fell since 1998.The Anthony Gormey-designed steel structure, which is 20m (65ft) and has a wing span of 54m (177ft), has stood on a hill on the southern edge of Low Fell since 1998.
The final leg of the relay will be run by BBC presenter Matt Baker, who will carry the torch in his home county of Durham.The final leg of the relay will be run by BBC presenter Matt Baker, who will carry the torch in his home county of Durham.
Baker, who co-hosts The One Show and was the runner-up on Strictly Come Dancing in 2010, will light a cauldron on Durham University Racecourse, which will burn throughout the celebration evening.Baker, who co-hosts The One Show and was the runner-up on Strictly Come Dancing in 2010, will light a cauldron on Durham University Racecourse, which will burn throughout the celebration evening.
The event will include performances by indie rock trio Little Comets and the award-winning Deerness Gymnastics Academy.The event will include performances by indie rock trio Little Comets and the award-winning Deerness Gymnastics Academy.
A total of 8,000 people will carry the flame during its 8,000 mile, 70-day journey to the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in London on 27 July.A total of 8,000 people will carry the flame during its 8,000 mile, 70-day journey to the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in London on 27 July.