Dutch speed skater flew to Olympics on private jet, won gold and became a sex symbol of the Games
27-year-old Dutch speed skater Jutta Leerdam became one of the main stars of the Winter Olympics in Italy. She won gold in the 1000-meter distance, confirming her status as one of the strongest sprinters in the world. But she is discussed not only because of her results on the ice.
1000-meter speed skating winner Jutta Leerdam (Netherlands) during the award ceremony at the Winter Olympic Games in Milan. February 9, 2026. Photo: Henk Jan Dijks / Marcel ter Bals / DeFodi Images / DeFodi via Getty Images
Jutta Leerdam was born at the end of 1998 in a small town in the south of the Netherlands. In her childhood, she played various sports, such as field hockey. However, at the age of 11, she chose speed skating — and quickly became one of the country's most promising juniors.
Her first great success was a gold medal at the World Junior Championships in 2017. Leerdam then gradually established herself in adult sports. She specializes in 500 and 1000-meter distances, but the 1000 meters became her signature discipline.
She has five gold medals from World Championships in individual distances and a gold in sprint all-around, as well as a silver and three bronze awards from World Championships. At the 2022 Beijing Olympics, she won silver in the 1000-meter distance.
Jutta's coach is Konstantin Poltavets, a native of Kharkiv, who previously worked for many years with the Russian national team, and since 2020 moved on to training Dutch sprinters.
Sex symbol and media star
In addition to her athletic achievements, Jutta Leerdam is one of the most popular speed skaters in the world: her Instagram following exceeds 5 million.
Such public visibility has made her one of the most discussed figures at these Games. As writes The Guardian, in Milan she virtually ignores traditional media, preferring direct communication with fans through her own channels. Leerdam is accustomed to operating on her own terms.
Off the ice, she demonstrates unusual candor, openly discussing in her social networks issues of menstrual cycle and weight problems she faced in adolescence. According to former athletes and coaches, such conversations helped to break taboos on topics that remained non-public in elite sports for a long time.
Romance with Jake Paul
Her relationship with American blogger and boxer Jake Paul attracts additional attention to her.
Paul is one of the most famous internet influencers in the USA. He gained fame on the Vine platform, later became a YouTube star, and then began a career in professional boxing. His fights gather millions of viewers, and he himself is known for provocative statements and an ability to attract attention.
Leerdam and Paul's relationship became known in 2023. The couple does not hide their romance and appears together at public events. Jutta flew to the Olympics in Italy with Paul on a private plane, where she held a small party with friends. Leerdam missed the Opening Ceremony of the Games.
Despite all the discussions, Leerdam gave her main answer to critics on the ice. The 1000-meter gold medal showed that she remains first and foremost a top-level athlete.
And while social networks discuss her appearance, lifestyle, and romance with the American star, Jutta herself continues to do what she does best — skate faster than everyone else.