Milan, Italy — February 10, 2026: Dutch speed skating sensation Jutta Leerdam clinched her first Olympic gold medal in the women’s 1000m speed skating at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, setting a new Olympic record — and her fiancé, social media star-turned-boxer Jake Paul, was seen visibly overcome with emotion in the stands.
Who Is Jutta Leerdam? From Dutch Star To Olympic Legend
Jutta Leerdam is a 27‑year‑old Dutch long‑track speed skater who has become one of the biggest names in her sport and a breakout star of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. She specializes in the sprint distances, especially the 1000m, and had already built a huge fanbase in the Netherlands and online even before her Olympic gold.
Born in the Netherlands, Leerdam rose through the junior ranks and turned into a dominant senior skater with multiple World Cup and world championship medals. She won silver in the women’s 1000m at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, which set the stage for her “unfinished business” in 2026. Away from the ice, she is also a major social media figure and became widely known to a new audience after her relationship with American boxer and influencer Jake Paul went public.
Jake Paul’s Emotional Reaction: Tears, Viral Clips And Social Media Explosion
Jake Paul, 29, was in the stands at the Milano speed skating venue alongside his mother Pam and Jutta’s mother Monique when Leerdam crossed the finish line and secured gold. The moment she finished and the time 1:12.31 flashed on screen, Paul stood up, applauded, and then broke down in tears as the realization of her achievement hit him
Jake Paul in tears after his fiancée Jutta Leerdam won gold at the Olympics #WinterOlympics pic.twitter.com/px1iRGmmF5
— Dutty dollar (@duttyice) February 9, 2026
Jutta Leerdam’s 2026 Olympic Glory: Record-Breaking 1000m Gold
On 9 February 2026 (local time), at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, Jutta Leerdam won gold in the women’s 1000m speed skating with a new Olympic record of 1:12.31. She edged out her Dutch teammate Femke Kok, who had just broken the Olympic record in the previous race with 1:12.59 and took silver, while Japan’s Miho Takagi, the Beijing 2022 champion, claimed bronze in 1:13.95.
Leerdam’s race was a perfect mix of power and control, with top opening speed and very strong closing laps that separated her from the field. The victory gave the Netherlands its first medal of the 2026 Games and extended the country’s long tradition of dominance in Olympic speed skating. For Leerdam personally, it was the moment that transformed her from perennial favorite and world star into full‑fledged Olympic champion.
Relationship Timeline: How Jutta Leerdam And Jake Paul Fell In Love
Jutta Leerdam and Jake Paul’s relationship started like a modern digital‑age story: he first reached out by sliding into her DMs while she was already an established speed skating star. The pair began talking and soon realized that, despite coming from very different sports and cultures, they shared a similar drive and fast‑paced lifestyle.
They officially went public with their relationship in April 2023, when Paul posted pictures on Instagram with the caption “I’m Dutch now,” introducing Leerdam to his huge global fanbase. Over the next two years, Leerdam appeared frequently in Paul’s content, and he in turn traveled to major competitions to support her, including world championships in Europe.
In March 2025, during a romantic trip, Paul proposed to Leerdam on March 21, and the couple announced their engagement the next day with a joint Instagram post of photos and a video of the proposal. They described it as “the most magical day of our lives” and wrote that they “can’t wait to spend forever together,” turning them into one of the most closely watched sports couples heading into Milano Cortina 2026.
We're engaged💍🕊️🤍we can't wait to spend forever together🥹 pic.twitter.com/qrbOxkPWTV
— Jutta Leerdam (@juttaleerdam73) February 6, 2026
Why Jake Paul’s Reaction Resonated: Love Story Meets Olympic Pressure
Many fans see Jake Paul’s emotional response as more than just a viral meme; it represents the intense pressure and sacrifices behind an Olympic gold medal. Leerdam had carried the weight of expectations since her silver in Beijing 2022, and the 1000m in 2026 was seen as her chance to finally become Olympic champion in her best event.
For Paul, who is used to the brutal spotlight of boxing and social media, watching someone he loves compete in a completely different arena, with her whole country watching, brought out a different side of him. His tears and public affection cut through his usual “problem child” persona and showed a supportive fiancé who had flown to Italy to cheer from the stands, just as Leerdam had supported him during his high‑profile fights.
The public reaction has been overwhelmingly positive, with many viewers saying the images of Leerdam’s victory and Paul’s breakdown might be remembered as some of the defining visuals of Milano Cortina 2026. The combination of elite performance, Olympic record, and a genuine human moment has helped the story trend across sports, entertainment, and lifestyle media at the same time.
Why Their Story Resonates Beyond The Ice
What makes Jutta and Jake’s 2026 Olympic moment special is that it mixes elite sport, viral emotion, and real-life romance. Young athletes in places like India, the U.S., and across Europe now see a Dutch champion with an Olympic record and a fiancé cheering from the stands who also built fame online, showing that modern careers can cross fields of sport, influence, and business.
Other Articles to Read:
- Don 3, Ranveer Singh ₹40 Cr Demand: What Went Wrong?
- Lahore 1947 Release Date Announced —Sunny Deol & Preity Zinta Are Back Together
- What Should I Do Now?’ Rajpal Yadav’s Emotional Moment Before Surrender
- Raghav Chadha’s 'Handsome' Viral Video: 9M+ Views & Counting
- Laughter Chefs 3 Valentine’s Special: Sweet Surprises That Melted Hearts
- Karan Johar Reveals Call Me Bae Wardrobe - How Much It Costs After the Shoot
