Jutta Leerdam Wins Olympic Gold as Jake Paul Watches in Tears
It was a moment years in the making — and one that left the arena in Milan breathless.
Dutch speedskater Jutta Leerdam delivered under immense pressure on Monday, capturing gold in the women’s 1,000 meters at the 2026 Winter Olympics. With a blistering time of 1:12.31, she not only claimed her first Olympic gold medal but also set a new Olympic record.
The performance carried even more weight given the drama that unfolded just minutes before she stepped onto the ice. Her Dutch teammate, Femke Kok, had briefly set an Olympic record herself with a time of 1:12.59 — a mark that seemed nearly untouchable. But Leerdam rose to the occasion, skating with precision, power, and control to eclipse it.
An Emotional Finish
As Leerdam crossed the finish line and saw her time, emotion took over. Tears filled her eyes as she glided around the track, waving to friends and family in the stands. The 27-year-old had overcome setbacks in recent seasons, including narrowly missing Olympic qualification at one point, making the victory even more meaningful.
Among those visibly moved was her fiancé, boxer Jake Paul. Cameras captured him in the stands, wiping away tears as he celebrated alongside her family. The raw emotion reflected not just the magnitude of the win, but the journey behind it.
This gold medal marks Leerdam’s second Olympic medal overall — and her first at the top of the podium.
Podium Results
Femke Kok secured the silver medal with her earlier record-setting skate of 1:12.59 and remains a strong contender for additional medals later in the Games.
Japan’s Miho Takagi earned bronze, finishing with a time of 1:13.95.
American Erin Jackson briefly led the standings with a 1:15.00 before later pairs overtook her time. Teammate Brittany Bowe finished just outside the podium in fourth place with a time of 1:14.55.
A Defining Olympic Moment
For Leerdam, the victory represents more than a medal. It is the culmination of resilience, perseverance, and belief — a journey from uncertainty to Olympic champion.
As the Dutch skater stood on the podium, gold medal around her neck, the tears had not fully dried. The moment belonged to her — but it resonated far beyond the ice.