On February 9, 2026, Dutch speed skater Jutta Leerdam will compete in the 1000 meter event at the Milan Winter Olympics with the goal of winning her first Olympic gold medal.
Schaatsen.nl, a Dutch skating news outlet, reports on the anticipation surrounding Leerdam’s race at the Winter Games in Milan, Italy.
The Olympic opening weekend had not yet yielded any medals for Team Netherlands. Attention now turns to the women’s long track speed skating competition, where Leerdam is considered a top favorite along with Japan’s Miho Takagi and fellow Dutch athlete Femke Kok. Suzanne Schulting is also competing for the Netherlands and will race early in the event.
Leerdam is motivated not only by the pursuit of Olympic glory but also by her personal aspirations shared publicly since her engagement to Jake Paul. She has expressed her wish to become Olympic champion before starting a family. The 1000 meter race, which begins at 5:30 p.m. local time with the starter André de Vries, will be a decisive moment for her ambitions.
The race order features Schulting in the first pair, Femke Kok in the 13th pair racing against the United States’ Brittany Bowe, and Leerdam in the final pair against Takagi. Results are expected about 45 minutes after the start. Fans and followers can access the full Olympic long track schedule, draws, and live results on the official page for the event.
On the previous day, February 8, Norwegian skater Sander Eitrem secured the gold medal in the men’s 5000 meters, further fueling excitement for the ongoing competitions. His victory marked Norway’s tenth gold in speed skating at these Games.
