Dutch speed skater Jutta Leerdam delivered a breathtaking performance on February 9, capturing Olympic gold in the women’s 1,000 meters and setting a new Olympic record of 1:12.31. The victory added another medal to the Netherlands’ impressive tally and firmly cemented Leerdam’s status among the sport’s elite.
The race was fiercely competitive. Teammate Femke Kok initially set the pace and briefly held the Olympic record with a time of 1:12.59, which earned her the silver medal. Japan’s Miho Takagi, the defending Olympic champion, claimed bronze after another strong showing. Leerdam’s final run, however, proved decisive, pushing the benchmark even higher and securing gold in dramatic fashion.
Overcome with emotion after crossing the finish line, Leerdam celebrated as the crowd erupted. Watching from the stands, her fiancé Jake Paul reacted with visible pride. In a touching moment, Leerdam skated toward the boards, blew a kiss, and formed a heart with her hands—adding a personal highlight to an already historic victory.
Leerdam’s journey to Olympic gold has been marked by steady progress and unwavering determination. After earning silver at the 2022 Beijing Winter Games, she continued to build momentum through strong performances at European championships and World Cup events, entering these Olympics as one of the top favorites.
Following the race, Paul shared his excitement online, praising Leerdam’s discipline and commitment and calling the moment one of the proudest of his life. While their relationship has attracted public attention, Leerdam’s triumph ultimately stood on its own—reflecting years of focus, resilience, and hard work, and culminating in a defining Olympic milestone and one of the greatest achievements of her career.
