Jutta Leerdam claimed her first Olympic gold medal on Monday, setting a new Winter Games record in the women’s 1,000-meter speed skating event at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
The Dutch speed skater completed the race in 1 minute, 12.31 seconds, nearly one full second faster than defending champion Miho Takagi’s 2022 time. Leerdam’s Olympics triumph came before a crowd of orange-clad Dutch fans who created a raucous atmosphere at the temporary arena in Milan.
Racing in the final heat against Takagi, Leerdam maintained steady strides throughout the race. Crossing the finish line, she stopped to blow kisses at her fiancé, YouTuber and boxer Jake Paul, after the couple announced their engagement via Instagram last year.
DUTCH DOMINATION. Jutta Leerdam captures GOLD in the women’s 1000m AND sets an Olympic Record! pic.twitter.com/gZoUTP2sU2
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) February 9, 2026
Leerdam’s Dutch teammate Femke Kok took silver, while Takagi settled for bronze after winning gold four years ago. US speed skater Brittany Bowe, who set the 1,000-meter world record in 2019, finished fourth, followed by fellow Team USA star and reigning 500-meter champion Erin Jackson at sixth.
The performance marks the third Olympics record in three races this year. Leerdam’s Olympics success builds on her recent momentum, after winning three of four 1,000-meter World Cup races including a victory over Kok last month.
Leerdam brings extensive experience to the Olympics, tallying 12 worlds medals — including six golds — while capturing 1,000-meter titles in 2020 and 2023.
How to watch speed skater Jutta Leerdam at the Winter Olympics
The 25-year-old Dutch star will compete again on Sunday, hitting the track for the women’s 500-meter event at 11:03 AM ET, live on NBC.
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