Dutch speed skater Jutta Leerdam delivered a stunning performance on February 9, winning 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’ tally and confirmed her place among the sport’s elite. Teammate Femke Kok took silver in 1:12.59, while Japan’s defending champion Miho Takagi secured bronze. The race was fiercely competitive, with Kok briefly holding the record before Leerdam’s final run pushed the benchmark even higher.
Overcome with emotion after crossing the finish line, Leerdam celebrated the achievement as the crowd roared. 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, creating a personal highlight to match her historic win.
Leerdam’s road to Olympic gold has been defined by steady progress and determination. After claiming silver at the 2022 Beijing Winter Games, she continued building momentum with strong results in European championships and World Cup events, entering this Olympics as a top favorite.
Following the race, Paul shared his excitement online, praising Leerdam’s dedication and calling it one of the proudest moments of his life. While their relationship has drawn public attention, Leerdam’s triumph ultimately reflected years of discipline, hard work, and focus—culminating in a defining Olympic milestone and one of the greatest achievements of her career.