With the Golden Gate Bridge serving as the backdrop, Rebecca N. took the Olympic flame and began a run that would cover a quarter of a mile and last just about three minutes.

At the end, there would be the hand-off to another torchbearer, and a lifelong memory of having participated in the Olympics.

"I didn't trip, didn't fall, didn't set anybody on fire," the Chico State University senior cracked.

Rebecca, 21, said it felt like time had frozen when she took the flame on the Marin side of the bridge.

"When it lit, and I carried it for three minutes, I was the only person in the world holding that flame. That's when it sank in," Rebecca said.

Not many people realize the flame is never extinguished once it begins its journey from Athens, Greece to the host Olympic city.

Rebecca said her mother nominated her to carry the torch. More than 11,000 Americans were afforded the honor.

She said she was shocked when she learned she had been selected.

"I thought someone has a better sob story," Rebecca said.

Rebecca's story is hardly a sob story.

She was born prematurely and not expected to live. Legally blind in one eye, she worked two jobs to support herself while attending Chico State. Rebecca will become a teacher after she graduates next spring.

Note: Article trimmed for content and edited for sake of privacy.

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