Jutta Leerdam has long been one of the most accomplished athletes in international speed skating, but in recent years her profile has expanded far beyond the ice rink.
The 27-year-old Dutch star, who is engaged to YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, is now being widely praised not only for her elite performances but also for helping bring unprecedented global attention to the niche winter sport.
Leerdam enters competition in Milan as the reigning Olympic silver medalist in the women’s 1,000 meters, a title she earned at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.
As she prepares to compete again on one of speed skating’s biggest stages, expectations remain high that she could improve on that silver medal and contend for gold.
However, the four-year Olympic cycle since Beijing has been transformative for Leerdam in more ways than one.
While she has continued to dominate on the ice—winning multiple World Cup races and cementing her status as one of the fastest skaters in the world—her personal life has also thrust her into the global spotlight.
Leerdam’s rise in mainstream recognition accelerated after she began a relationship with Jake Paul in 2023. The pair first connected in 2022, when Paul reached out to her via Instagram to invite her onto his podcast.
What began as an online exchange soon turned into a real-life connection, with the couple meeting in Miami before going public with their relationship.
Their engagement in 2025 further fueled international media attention, with Leerdam celebrating the milestone by showing off a striking diamond ring that quickly went viral.
Since then, she has become a regular presence in entertainment headlines, often bridging the worlds of elite sport and celebrity culture.
Despite the increased attention, those closest to the sport emphasize that Leerdam’s fame does not overshadow her athletic credentials. On the contrary, many believe it has helped elevate speed skating to new audiences.
Jon Eley, performance director at British Ice Skating, has openly praised Leerdam’s impact on the sport.
According to Eley, the International Skating Union has recognized the value of her profile and the attention she brings.
“They’ve realized that it brings a lot of eyes to speed skating,” Eley said. “Ultimately, people are talking about the sport and becoming interested, and that’s only good for what we’d classify as a minority sport.”
Eley also left no doubt about Leerdam’s ability on the ice, adding: “Jutta’s very good. She’s won a lot of World Cup races this season. She’s a phenomenal athlete.”
Those words carry weight coming from a senior figure within international skating, reinforcing that Leerdam’s reputation is built on results, discipline, and consistency—not celebrity association.
Leerdam has occasionally attracted criticism, particularly in parts of the Dutch media, where some commentators have labeled her a “diva” due to her high-profile lifestyle.
She faced scrutiny for flying to Milan on Paul’s private jet and for skipping the Opening Ceremony at San Siro—something she later admitted regretting, especially missing a performance by Mariah Carey.
Still, supporters argue that such criticism often ignores the realities of elite sport, where focus, recovery, and preparation take priority.
For Leerdam, competition nights strip away the glamour entirely, leaving only the stopwatch and the ice.
That focus will be crucial as she looks to close the narrow gap that denied her Olympic gold in 2022.
In Beijing, Leerdam finished just 0.64 seconds behind Japan’s Miho Takagi, who set an Olympic record time of 1:13.19 in the 1,000 meters.
Jake Paul is expected to be in the stands at the Milano Speed Skating Stadium, where his presence alone is likely to attract media attention.
The Ohio-born influencer, who boasts nearly 29 million Instagram followers, has made no secret of his support for Leerdam, frequently documenting their journey for fans.
Over the weekend, Paul arrived at the Athlete Village carrying a large bouquet of red roses before escorting Leerdam away in a private car.
He later posted a video on social media addressed to their “future children,” underscoring how public their relationship has become.
While some critics argue that such attention can overshadow competition, others believe it helps modernize the image of winter sports, making them more accessible to younger, global audiences.
Ultimately, when Leerdam steps onto the ice, none of the headlines will matter.
For one night, the cameras will focus not on celebrity relationships but on speed, precision, and performance.
Whether she leaves Milan with gold, silver, or another hard-earned finish, Leerdam’s influence on speed skating is already undeniable.
She represents a new generation of athletes—elite competitors who excel at the highest level while expanding their sport’s reach beyond traditional boundaries.