Dutch speed skater and social media personality Jutta Leerdam has secured her place to compete in two events at the upcoming Winter Olympics in Milan, following a dramatic and frightening fall during qualifying trials.
Scary Fall Threatens Olympic Dream
The 27-year-old athlete, who is engaged to controversial YouTuber and boxer Jake Paul, suffered a crash last week during the Netherlands' qualification race for the 1,000-meter event, which is her specialty. The incident forced her to leave the ice in tears, casting serious doubt on her chances of making the Olympic team for that distance.
However, displaying remarkable resilience, Leerdam bounced back the very next day. She managed to secure qualification for the 500-meter event, as reported by the Daily Mail. This initial success kept her Olympic hopes alive while she awaited a critical decision from the national selection committee regarding her participation in the 1,000m.
Double Selection Confirmed for Milan
On Thursday, Leerdam took to her Instagram account to confirm the positive news. She announced that the selection committee had chosen her to represent the Netherlands in both the 500-meter and the 1,000-meter races at the Winter Games.
She provided context to the selection process, explaining that only nine Dutch women could qualify for the Games overall. Leerdam earned her primary spot through her performance in the 500m, after which the national skating federation added her to the roster for the 1,000m. She was careful to note that this decision did not come at the expense of another athlete, meaning no one was displaced from the team to accommodate her.
Support from a Famous Fiancé
The news was celebrated by her fiancé, Jake Paul, who reacted in the comments section of her post with three padlock emojis, symbolizing something being "locked in." Paul's support was hands-on, as he had traveled to the Netherlands to be with Leerdam during the high-pressure trials. This trip came shortly after Paul himself suffered a broken jaw in his recent boxing match against Anthony Joshua.
After Leerdam's emotional exit from the 1,000m qualifier, Paul spoke to reporters, describing the experience of watching her fall as "heartbreaking." He emphasized that competing in the Olympics has been Leerdam's lifelong dream. While awaiting the committee's final verdict, the couple also celebrated Leerdam's 27th birthday, with Paul sharing affectionate photos and a birthday message on his social media platforms.
With the selection drama behind her, Jutta Leerdam will now focus her efforts on preparing for the Winter Olympics in Milan next month, where she will aim for glory in two speed skating events.
