BR Olympic Torchbearer: It brings you to tears | Business

"When the two torch runners meet and touch the tip of their torches that action is actually called the kiss where two torches kiss each other and the flame of the previous runner is extinguished and the flame is given to the next torch runner.>

Baton Rouge Native John Eric James was one of the next runners in the recent Olympic Torch Relay in the United Kingdom.

"My moment of having the kiss is one of the most exciting parts of that because at that moment you are the only one carrying the Olympic flame," James says.

James was one of 8,000 torchbearers as the flame travelled to more than 1,000 cities before reaching its final destination-- the Summer Olympic Games in London.

"I'm a small town guy from Baton Rouge, Louisiana and here I am part of the Olympic experience in London," James says. "It was overly exciting.

Now living in Michigan, he was selected by his colleagues at Dow Chemical Company --2500 employees were nominated. Ten were chosen.

James grew up right here in north Baton Rouge,  graduating from Baton Rouge High School and Southern University. His family says they couldn't be prouder.

His mother Mildred James put together a scrapbook to remember the big moment.

"I look at it everyday," Mildred says.  "It's just amazing for him to be selected."

"Whatever he does doesn't surprise me because he's just that amazing," says his Aunt Sylvia Barnes.

Meanwhile James says the experience is something he'll never forget.

"It's really emotional to be part of that in another country," James says.  "It kind of brings you to tears because you're representing your country."