Jutta Leerdam Secures Silver in 500-Meter Speedskating at 2026 Winter Olympics
MILAN, Italy — Dutch speedskating sensation Jutta Leerdam captured her second medal of the 2026 Winter Olympics on Sunday, finishing with a silver in the fiercely contested women’s 500-meter race. Leerdam, who is also known for her high-profile engagement to boxer Jake Paul, clocked a time of 37.15 seconds, narrowly missing gold to fellow Dutch skater Femke Kok. Kok set a new Olympic record with a blistering 36.49 seconds, eclipsing Leerdam’s leading time before her final run.
The event took place at the state-of-the-art Oval Lingotto, where Kok’s performance electrified the crowd and underscored the Netherlands’ dominance in speedskating. Japan’s Miho Takagi earned the bronze with a time of 37.27 seconds, while American skaters, including 2022 Beijing gold medalist Erin Jackson, were unable to reach the podium. Jackson finished fifth, posting a time of 37.32 seconds.
Leerdam’s silver adds to her earlier success at these Games, where she set an Olympic record in the 1,000-meter event, further cementing her status as one of the sport’s brightest stars. Her fiancé, Jake Paul, was present at the venue, vocally supporting her as she raced. Observers noted his enthusiasm and visible astonishment when Leerdam initially posted the fastest time.
The 2026 Winter Olympics have showcased remarkable athleticism and fierce competition across disciplines. The speedskating events, in particular, have drawn significant attention, with the Dutch team continuing their legacy of excellence. For more information on Olympic speedskating results and athlete profiles, the official International Olympic Committee (IOC) website provides comprehensive coverage.
Leerdam’s performance highlights the Netherlands’ deep pool of talent in the sport, a tradition supported by the Royal Dutch Skating Federation, which fosters elite development programs. Meanwhile, the United States continues to invest in speedskating through initiatives overseen by US Speedskating, aiming to regain podium positions in future Games.
As the Winter Olympics progress, athletes like Leerdam and Kok exemplify the spirit of competition and the pursuit of excellence that define this global event. The world will be watching as they prepare for upcoming races, with hopes high for more thrilling performances. For official updates and detailed event schedules, visit the NBC Olympics portal, the primary broadcaster and information source for the Games in the United States.
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