91原创鈥檚 Emil Lee sees his upcoming chance to carry the Olympic torch as a symbol of average citizens鈥� involvement in the 2010 Games.

鈥淚 thought this would be a great way to participate,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t doesn鈥檛 matter who you are; you can be an ordinary person and dad like me and get to participate in something this large.鈥�

Lee, 40, will be carrying the Olympic torch through Chilliwack on Sunday. His segment of the run is small compared to the overall distance the torch has traveled, but he said the sheer scope of the torch relay makes his role that much more appealing.

鈥淵ou really get the feeling you鈥檙e a part of something greater,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 the chance of a lifetime.鈥�

For Lee, running is not a new experience. He鈥檚 done the Sun Run several times and is heavily involved with a local running group. In fact, he used that experience to put together the essay for a Coca-Cola contest that resulted in his selection as a torchbearer.

鈥淚鈥檝e never worked so hard on an essay in my life,鈥� he said.

Lee said there may be some controversies around the Games, but he thinks they鈥檙e still incredibly important.

鈥淭here鈥檚 lots of

caveats to the Olympics, it鈥檚 not all sweetness and light, but the Olympics does stand for something,鈥� he said.

Lee is planning to share his Olympic experience with local schoolchildren next week, and he鈥檒l be bringing his torch along.

鈥淎 lot of my kids鈥� class are really excited about having the torch come to them,鈥� he said. 鈥淭his way, they can get a little inspiration too.鈥�