Dutch Skater Jutta Leerdam Wins Olympic Gold in 1,000m with Jake Paul in the Stands

The high-profile couple has brought new attention to speed skating with their massive social media following.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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Jutta Leerdam, a Dutch speed skater, won the gold medal in the 1,000-meter event at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy. Her fiancé, YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, was in the stands cheering her on, further drawing attention to the sport.

Why it matters

Leerdam and Paul's relationship has generated significant media interest, with their large social media followings helping to expose speed skating to new audiences. The sport has historically struggled to attract mainstream attention, and Leerdam's gold medal win could help drive more interest and participation, especially among younger viewers.

The details

Leerdam, 24, delivered a dominant performance to claim the gold medal in the 1,000m event, finishing with a time of 1:12.34. Her victory came with her high-profile fiancé Jake Paul, 30, cheering from the stands. The couple's relationship has been a major source of attention, with their combined social media following of over 50 million helping to bring new eyes to the sport of speed skating.

  • Jutta Leerdam won the gold medal in the 1,000m event on February 9, 2026.
  • Jake Paul, Leerdam's fiancé, was in the stands cheering her on during the competition.

The players

Jutta Leerdam

A 24-year-old Dutch speed skater who won the gold medal in the 1,000m event at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan.

Jake Paul

A 30-year-old YouTuber-turned-boxer who is the fiancé of Jutta Leerdam and was in the stands cheering her on during her gold medal-winning performance.

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What they’re saying

“Jutta's win is a huge moment for our sport. She's bringing so much attention and excitement to speed skating, and we're thrilled to have her as one of our top athletes.”

— Marianne Timmer, President, Dutch Speed Skating Federation (myplainview.com)

What’s next

Leerdam and Paul are expected to continue using their platforms to promote speed skating and inspire more people, especially younger audiences, to take up the sport.

The takeaway

Jutta Leerdam's gold medal victory, with her high-profile fiancé Jake Paul cheering her on, has the potential to significantly boost the popularity and visibility of speed skating, a sport that has historically struggled to attract mainstream attention.