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Air Force spouse cheers her way to Olympic Games

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Scott Saldukas
  • 47th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Reaching the stage of the Olympic Games is a dream shared by most athletes, but the opportunity to reach that stage is rare regardless of what someone wishes to compete in.

Even though she always wanted to be a part of the Olympics at some point in her life, Nicole King Rollins, spouse of a Laughlin instructor pilot, earned her way to this year's games in a different fashion than those competing for the gold.

Rollins, a 27-year-old Bartlett, Tenn., native and University of Memphis graduate, was selected as one of 16 veteran cheerleaders from cheerleading company Varsity who will take the court during the men's basketball semifinal and final's games for the first time in Olympic history.

"I was shocked when I found out that I was selected to go to the Olympics and cheer," Rollins said. "Who would have thought cheerleading would lead me to the Olympics? I have always been a huge fan of the Olympics, especially the summer games. So, for me to have the chance to be here among the excitement and amazing athletes is a once in a lifetime experience."

While the cheerleading veteran is constantly active as she hosts a slew of activities such as a high school and college cheerleading instructor, an advanced fitness program to servicemembers, leading aerobics classes, being a personal trainer and a half and full marathon coach, she said she needed to switch up her routine to prepare for London.

"I had to get back in the gym doing tumbling and practice stunting skills to get myself prepared for the amount of routines we will be doing," she said. "I am very active and instruct many classes but cheerleading skills are completely different. I have been in London for two days and am definitely sore from all the stunts, pyramids and basket tosses we have been doing."

Even though this is the first time Rollins has been to the Olympic Games, she credits her time being involved with the Air Force as a big helper with her trip across the pond.

"I think the Air Force community's closeness and structure has had a big impact on me," she said. "I feel while traveling internationally I am prepared to take care of myself and also help any one of the group leaders. When I tell people I am a military wife they get so excited that I can represent our country here."

Although her and her team will only be cheering and not competing for any medals, she hopes their performance will help in creating a cheerleading portion in future games.

"I hope that our athleticism as cheerleaders will be recognized by the world," the Tennessee native said. "We are working to make cheerleading an Olympic sport by the next summer games. This group that is here is the best of the best across the United States and we are here to show the world what we can do."