All eyes were on the ice in Milan-Cortina as Dutch speed skating sensation Jutta Leerdam powered her way to yet another Olympic medal, this time clinching silver in the fiercely competitive women’s 500-meter event at the 2026 Winter Olympics on February 15. The electrifying showdown not only added a new chapter to Leerdam’s already illustrious career but also highlighted the dramatic personal and public dynamics swirling around the star and her high-profile fiancé, YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul.
Leerdam, who has quickly become a household name in the Netherlands and beyond, finished her 500m race with a blistering time of 37.15 seconds. The result was enough to put her in the top spot—at least for a moment. Then, her Dutch teammate and formidable rival, Femke Kok, took to the ice and delivered a jaw-dropping performance, clocking in at 36.49 seconds to snatch gold and set a new Olympic record. Japan’s Miho Takagi rounded out the podium with a bronze-winning time of 37.27 seconds. The reigning Olympic champion, Erin Jackson of the United States, was edged out of medal contention, finishing fifth with a time of 37.32 seconds.
The atmosphere in the stands was electric as Jake Paul, flanked by his mother Pam, cheered on Leerdam with palpable nerves and excitement. Paul, never one to shy away from the spotlight, captured his own emotional rollercoaster on video, sharing it with millions of followers on social media. As Leerdam crossed the line, Paul exclaimed, “She’s so amazing!!! Another medal. I’m so proud of you!” Later, he posted, “She’s so amazing, wow, another medal. You inspire us all, Jutta Leerdam.”
This silver medal marks Leerdam’s second podium finish at these Games, following her gold medal triumph in the 1,000-meter event earlier in the week. In that race, she stormed to victory with an Olympic record time of 1:12.31, narrowly surpassing Kok’s 1:12.59. The win was especially meaningful for Leerdam, who had crashed out of qualifying for her signature 1,000m event back in December 2025. The Dutch Olympic Committee’s decision to select her for the Games was vindicated in the most spectacular way, as she delivered under immense pressure. Paul was visibly moved during her gold medal moment, later remarking, “Man, words can’t even describe it. It’s the greatest feeling (of) anything I’ve ever witnessed, to be honest. Just the amount of hard work that goes into it. Like 99.9% of people will never understand. And she pulled it off, under the most amount of pressure ever.”
Leerdam’s journey to Olympic stardom has not been without its share of controversy and scrutiny. Despite being a seven-time world champion and a silver medalist at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, her conduct at the Milan-Cortina Games has sparked debate back home. Critics questioned her decision to travel to Italy via private jet rather than with her Dutch teammates, and her absence from the opening ceremony raised eyebrows. Former footballer and TV pundit Johan Derksen didn’t mince words, saying, “She’s already living like a millionaire, with private jets and everything. Her behaviour is horrible to me, like that of a diva. If I were her coach, I wouldn’t tolerate that.”
Some observers believe that Leerdam’s meteoric rise and her relationship with Jake Paul have changed her public persona. “Ever since she began dating Jake, there is a feeling among many Dutch people that she thinks she is better than us,” a source told The Sun. The same source suggested that Leerdam was “a lot more humble” before meeting Paul, and that the American’s influence had “rubbed off on her.” Yet, Leerdam’s actions on the ice have often spoken louder than the criticism. After winning gold in the 1,000m, she was seen consoling her teammate Kok, who had just set a new Olympic record moments before. This gesture of sportsmanship did not go unnoticed and offered a counterpoint to the narrative of diva-like behavior.
Leerdam’s star continues to rise off the ice as well. With nearly six million Instagram followers, she has become a powerful influencer in her own right. In November 2025, she inked a lucrative modeling deal with Kim Kardashian’s SKIMS brand, further cementing her status as a global celebrity. The relationship with Jake Paul, which began in April 2023 after a direct message exchange on Instagram, has only amplified her profile. The couple became engaged in March 2025 and have been inseparable ever since, with Leerdam frequently appearing ringside at Paul’s headline boxing matches.
The intersection of sports and celebrity has, predictably, drawn even more attention. Paul himself has been in the headlines for reasons both inside and outside the ring. He recently faced backlash for remarks about musician Bad Bunny during Super Bowl LX, which intensified scrutiny around his public statements. Adding to the drama, a fabricated social media post circulated online, falsely claiming Paul had suggested Leerdam add an American flag to her Olympic celebration. Nakisa Bidarian, CEO of Most Valuable Promotions and Paul’s close business partner, swiftly debunked the rumor: “This is a fabricated post. Jutta Leerdam does not have an X account (the account that’s on X is not her) and Jake Paul never made such a post.” Paul himself reposted the clarification, attempting to put the matter to rest.
On the sporting front, Paul is looking to bounce back from a tough loss—he suffered a knockout defeat to heavyweight star Anthony Joshua in December 2025. Despite speculation about his future in boxing, Bidarian confirmed, “He’s focused on coming back in August. I think the realistic window is anywhere from August to November.” For now, Paul seems content to support Leerdam’s Olympic dreams while plotting his own return to the ring.
As the 2026 Winter Olympics enter their final week, the Netherlands have already amassed an impressive 11 medals, with Leerdam’s contributions shining brightly. Her silver in the 500m is her first Olympic medal in that event, adding to her gold from the 1,000m in Milan-Cortina and her previous silver from Beijing 2022. She also finished second in the 500m at the 2025 World Championships, underscoring her consistency at the highest level.
With only days left in the Games, Dutch fans and the global speed skating community will be watching to see if Leerdam and her teammates can add to their haul. Whatever the outcome, Jutta Leerdam’s blend of athletic brilliance, resilience in the face of criticism, and undeniable star power has made her one of the unforgettable faces of these Olympics. And with Jake Paul cheering her every stride, the drama and excitement are sure to continue both on and off the ice.