Jutta Leerdam did not just leave the Winter Olympics with medals. She left with a moment people cannot stop talking about. The 27 year old Dutch speed skater won gold and silver for the Netherlands at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. She even set a new Olympic record in the 1,000 meters. Soon after that big win, her fiancé Jake Paul lifted her onto his shoulders and carried her toward a private jet waiting on the runway.Jake Paul posted it on Instagram and wrote, “From now on call me Jutta Leerdam’s fiance.” While many fans cheered the sweet moment, others were still debating her lifestyle choices during the Games. Still, her medals and record breaking skate stayed at the center of the story.
Jutta Leerdam and Jake Paul draw attention after Olympic record and private jet exit
Jutta Leerdam became one of the standout names of the Milan Cortina Games after winning gold in the 1,000 meters and adding a silver medal for the Netherlands. Her time in the 1,000 meters broke the Olympic record, putting her in the spotlight worldwide.But before the Games even began, she was already facing criticism back home. Former Dutch footballer Johan Derksen questioned her decision to travel to Italy on a private jet instead of with teammates. Speaking to Dutch media, he said, “Her behavior is horrible to me, like that of a diva. If I were her coach, I would not tolerate that. Gradually the whole of the Netherlands is starting to get a bit fed up with her behavior.”Leerdam also chose not to attend the Opening Ceremony, watching from her room while her teammates walked into the stadium. Photos of her private jet, decorated with flags and cupcakes, spread across social media and divided fans.Even with that noise, her performance on the ice changed the conversation. According to Professor Rob Wilson, who studies the business side of sports, her earnings could rise sharply. He told the Daily Mail, “Given her combination of podium success with the high social media engagement that she’s clearly had, you’re probably talking somewhere between £8m and £10m per year, particularly during those peak Olympic cycles.” He also said she could grow into beauty, wellness, and luxury brands.Leerdam already works with brands like Nike, SKIMS, Hema, and Red Bull. She has more than 6 million followers on Instagram, and one post after her gold medal received around one million likes. Jake Paul’s posts about her wins reached many fans too, though her own page saw stronger engagement.Together, Jutta Leerdam and Jake Paul now stand as one of the most talked about sports couples, mixing Olympic success with strong social media power.