Dutch speed skater Jutta Leerdam has become a central figure at the Olympic Games in Milan. After winning the gold medal in the 1000 meters and the silver in the 500 meters, the athlete faced a wave of criticism regarding her media image. She countered allegations of excessively showcasing femininity and a luxurious lifestyle with an emotional post, emphasizing the right to combine professional sports with being feminine.

Double Medal Success

Jutta Leerdam won gold in the 1000m and silver in the 500m, setting a new Olympic record for the time.

Controversy Over Image

The media criticized the athlete for flying on a private jet and alleged diva-like behavior before races.

Instagram Manifestation

The athlete published a photo with smudged makeup, arguing that one can be both determined and feminine.

During the Winter Olympic Games in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, 27-year-old Jutta Leerdam confirmed her dominance in speed skating. The athlete won the gold medal in the 1000 meters, setting a new record with a time of 1:12.31, and a silver medal in the 500 meters. Despite her sporting successes, social and traditional media focused on her off-track image. Controversy was sparked by the athlete's arrival in Italy via private jet and her alleged reluctance to give interviews before races, which one Dutch journalist described as "primadonna" behavior. Speed skating is a national sport in the Netherlands, and the country's successes at the Olympics date back to the 1920s when they began consistently winning medals in classic distances.The speed skater responded to the criticism in an unusual way, publishing a photo with smudged makeup instead of a classic medal pose. In an emotional post, she emphasized that discipline and femininity are not mutually exclusive. „It's such an irony because my eyeliner and makeup were something I was judged for throughout my entire career.” — Jutta Leerdam Additionally, the gesture of unzipping her suit and showing her sports bra after the race sparked a discussion about sports marketing, as experts like Frederique de Laat predict it will translate into multi-million euro advertising contracts. 1:12.31 — new Olympic record in the 1000 metersLeerdam, privately the partner of influencer and boxer Jake Paul, openly fights the paradigm that forces female athletes to choose between being a professional competitor and a celebrity. Her stance is seen by some Italian media as a paradigm shift in the perception of women in modern sports. While purists of the discipline criticize her private jet escapades, her records on the ice silence most substantive objections. [{"position": 1, "name": "1000m Race", "info": "Gold Medal", "result": "1:12.31 (OR)"}, {"position": 2, "name": "500m Race", "info": "Silver Medal", "result": "Podium"}]

Mentioned People

  • Jutta Leerdam — Dutch speed skater, multiple world champion and Olympic medalist.
  • Jake Paul — American boxer and social media personality, life partner of Leerdam.
  • Erik van Dijk — Sports commentator for NOS commenting on the phenomenon of the athlete's popularity.