Dutch Skater Leerdam Wins Gold, Silencing Critics After Private Jet Controversy

Dutch speed skating star Jutta Leerdam (27) delivered the Netherlands' first gold medal at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, silencing critics who had questioned her pre-Games conduct.

Leerdam claimed victory in the women's 1000m at the Milan Speed Skating Stadium on February 10 with an Olympic record time of 1:12.31. Fellow Dutch skater Femke Kok (25), the 500m world record holder, took silver in 1:12.59, finishing 0.28 seconds behind. The Netherlands secured two medals (one gold, one silver) in speed skating alone.

Starting from the outer lane in the final 15th pairing, Leerdam clocked 17.68 seconds through the opening 200m, ranking third at that point. However, she surged in the closing stretch to break the previous Olympic record of 1:13.19 held by Japan's Miho Takagi, who won bronze in the same race. The victory erased the disappointment of her silver medal finish in the 1000m at the 2022 Beijing Games. It marked her first Olympic gold medal in her second Winter Games appearance.

Leerdam had been at the center of controversy before the Games began. She traveled to Milan on a private jet belonging to her boyfriend, YouTuber-boxer Jake Paul, rather than accompanying her national teammates. She also skipped the opening ceremony, citing the need to manage her condition. Her limited engagement with Dutch media also drew criticism. However, her Olympic record-setting performance and gold medal delivery for the Dutch delegation swiftly silenced her detractors.