Jutta Leerdam releases emotional Winter Olympics statement and hints at family decision | Other | Sport

Jutta Leerdam has issued an emotional statement after winning gold for the Netherlands at the Winter Olympics. The 27-year-old speed skater took gold in the women’s 1000m, setting a new Olympic record time, and silver in the 500m at the Milan-Cortina Games. Her fiance, the YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, was in tears in the stands after the Dutchwoman won gold.

And Leerdam posted a lengthy message to her Instagram followers with an image of her screaming and crying with joy following the 1000m final. She wrote: “For me, this picture captured everything my Olympics stood for. This moment proves you don’t have to become less of yourself to achieve something great. That your looks don’t define you as a person or as an athlete. That if you work hard and stay determined, it will all come together.

“It’s so ironic because my winged eyeliner and make-up are something I’ve been judged for during my whole career, when all it ever did was give me confidence and make me feel feminine and powerful. The pressure I’ve felt, the judgment I’ve dealt with around so many things, the hard work I’ve been putting in for so many years all came together in this moment.

“I never felt the need to prove anything. I did this for me, my younger self, my family and for all women who don’t want to be put in a box and just want to be their authentic selves. A reminder that you can be soft and strong, disciplined and feminine, all at once. Never let anyone dim your light. Love love love.” Her fiance Paul replied simply: “Iconic.”

The Dutch athlete has also hinted she wants to have children with Paul in the future. She posted a video on TikTok of her arriving at the Games and standing in front of the iconic Olympic rings. Leerdam then returned to the same site with her gold and silver medals to toast her achievement. She captioned the post: “I thought the first video is one I will show my kids one [day]. Olympic gold, silver and an olympic record…. Pinch me.”

In another Instagram post where she boarded a private jet home, Leerdam added: “Goodbye Olympics. I can’t believe I’m leaving with my dream around my neck & Olympic record.” Leerdam will meanwhile not face any repercussions for unzipping her skate suit to show her sports bra after winning gold.

There were suggestions that because the sports bra was Nike, who Leerdam has a commercial partnership with, that the move was a deliberate marketing ploy. That would go against International Olympic Committee’s strict rules about athletes promoting products during the Games.

But IOC TMS Managing Director Anne-Sophie Voumard said: “I’m not an expert in speed skating. But I understand this (unzipping the uniform after a race) is normal practice for speed skaters when they finish their race because the suit is very tight. It is normal practice and not a case of ambush (marketing).”