Jutta Lierdam, a new Olympic gold medalist, received widespread praise for her display of sportsmanship after winning the women’s 1,000 meters speed skating final at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.
Immediately following her gold medal win, which included setting a new Olympic record of 1 minute 12.31 seconds, the Dutch skater was quick to embrace her teammate, Femke Kok, who secured silver with a time of 1 minute 12.59 seconds. This heartfelt moment gained significant attention online, especially given some earlier debates regarding Lierdam’s behavior at the Games.
One user on social media noted, “Where is Jutta running to? Of course… to Femke Kok! Stop shouting that she is so arrogant and only thinks about herself,” reflecting the mixed sentiments that had surfaced about her demeanor throughout the competition.
Another comment expressed admiration: “Jutta Lierdam and Femke Kok, what a performance, what a class! Pure elite sport, pure orange love,” which highlights the camaraderie among athletes.
Overwhelmed with emotion at the Milan Speed Skating Stadium, where she fulfilled her Olympic dream in front of a bustling crowd—including her fiancé, Jake Paul, a YouTuber-turned-boxer—Lierdam shared her thoughts post-race.
“Even though I felt tired during the race, I knew I shouldn’t feel tired,” she mentioned. “I told myself, ‘I have 80 years to recover from this, and I might feel tired after that. I don’t want to live with that regret. I fought so hard for this.’”
Jake Paul celebrated online, visibly moved by Lierdam’s triumph. He expressed, “We just witnessed one of the most important sporting moments ever, the doctors will tell you. Words can’t express how proud I am of you.” Remarkably, this victory closely followed his proposal nearly a year ago.
2026 Winter Olympics
As Lierdam reveled in her success, it’s worth noting that her Olympic journey didn’t come without controversy. She faced criticism and was labeled a “diva” for choosing to take a private jet to the Winter Olympics instead of flying with her Dutch teammates. Moreover, she was absent from the opening ceremony, which added to the mixed reactions surrounding her participation.
The Milan-Cortina tournament will continue until February 22nd, showcasing more thrilling events to come.
