As the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics officially get underway, Dutch speed skating sensation Jutta Leerdam finds herself at the centre of both podium projections and social media storms. The 27-year-old, who arrived in Italy this week, is looking to improve upon the silver medal she secured in the 1000m at the Beijing 2022 Games.
Leerdam’s journey to these Games has been anything but quiet. After a scare in December where a crash during qualifying nearly derailed her Olympic dreams, she successfully secured her spot on the Dutch team for both the 500m and 1000m events. However, her arrival in Milan has sparked significant debate back in the Netherlands and across social media.
Controversy Before the Ice
The “Queen of the Ice” faced sharp criticism from Dutch sports analysts and fans after documenting her trip to the Games via private jet. Critics labelled the move “diva behaviour” and “distracting,” suggesting it separated her from the team-first culture of the Dutch skating contingent. Adding to the chatter, Leerdam opted to skip the Opening Ceremony on Friday, 6 February, choosing instead to rest and prepare for her upcoming races. She shared photos on Instagram from her bed while her fellow athletes paraded through the San Siro stadium.
Competition Schedule
Despite the off-ice headlines, Leerdam remains a primary gold-medal threat in the speed skating oval. Fans can watch her compete on the following dates:
- Women’s 1000m: Monday, 9 February 2026
- Women’s 500m: Sunday, 15 February 2026
The Jake Paul Connection
Leerdam’s profile has grown exponentially since her engagement to American boxer and media personality Jake Paul. Paul, who was present at the Dutch Olympic trials to support her, has been a vocal advocate for her career. While her celebrity status brings unprecedented eyes to the sport, Leerdam has maintained that her focus remains on the 50th gold medal the Dutch team is currently chasing in Milan.
With 5.1 million Instagram followers watching her every move, the pressure is on for Leerdam to translate her world-class speed into Olympic gold. Whether the “diva” narrative persists or is replaced by “champion” will be decided on the ice starting this Monday.