Dutch Speedskater Jutta Leerdam Breaks Olympic Record to Claim 1000m Gold at Milano Cortina 2026

Jutta Leerdam delivered a stunning performance at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics on Monday, breaking the Olympic record to claim gold in the women's 1000m speed skating event. The Dutch star clocked an incredible 1:12.31, narrowly edging her teammate Femke Kok, who had set a new Olympic record of 1:12.59 just moments earlier in the previous race. The back-to-back record-breaking performances showcased the dominance of the Netherlands in speed skating.

Leerdam, who won silver at the 2022 Beijing Olympics in this same event, was visibly emotional as she crossed the finish line and realized the magnitude of her achievement. Her family and friends were in attendance, including her fiancé, boxer Jake Paul, who watched from the stands as she finally captured the Olympic gold medal that had eluded her four years ago. The 25-year-old's victory was the culmination of years of dedication and training since her silver medal finish in Beijing.

The podium was an all-Dutch affair, with Femke Kok taking silver and defending champion Takagi Miho of Japan claiming bronze with a time of 1:13.95. The Netherlands has now made the podium in six of the last seven Olympic 1000m competitions, cementing their reputation as the world's premier speed skating nation. Kok's previous Olympic record stood for less than 10 minutes before Leerdam's superior performance erased it from the books.

Leerdam's journey to gold has been closely followed not just for her athletic prowess, but also for her high-profile relationship with Paul. The boxer has been a vocal supporter of his fiancée throughout the Olympic Games, posting regularly on social media about her achievements and attending her events whenever possible. The couple got engaged in 2024, and Paul has frequently discussed his admiration for Leerdam's dedication to her sport.

The victory was particularly sweet for Leerdam, who has been candid about the disappointment of her silver medal in Beijing and her determination to claim gold at Milano Cortina. In pre-race interviews, she spoke about the pressure of competing on such a grand stage and the weight of expectations from her home country. Her performance on Monday proved that she could handle that pressure and deliver when it mattered most.

With this gold medal, Leerdam has established herself as one of the premier middle-distance speed skaters in the world. Her Olympic record time of 1:12.31 will stand as the benchmark for future competitors, and her dominance in the event positions her as a favorite for continued success in international competitions. The Milano Cortina Games continue to showcase exceptional performances across all winter sports disciplines, with Team USA and European nations battling for medal supremacy.