So here are 5 quick facts about the gold medalist who just set a Games record of 72.31 seconds in the 1,000 meter sprint.
She started skating later than most champions
As a child I played hockey, Leerdam leaned into the ice at the age of 11and this is considered late compared to other skating stars who adopt the sport much earlier. Yet Leerdam’s training at the age of eighteen certainly bore fruit. She won her first Junior World Championship thanks to a passionate performance in Helsinki, Finland, in 2017.
From Junior Star to Senior World Champion
An avid runner and roller skater, Leerdam specializes in the 500 and 1000 meter skating events, and has become even more successful as a senior, following on from her junior days. To date, she has collected seven world titles of individual and team events and, together with her teammates Letitia de Jong and Femke Kok, also holds a world record for the team sprint, completing the 400 meters in just 84.02 seconds.
A private jet trip that sparked controversy
Who said being famous was all about the fanfare? When the skating sensation took to Instagram on February 1, 2026to share that she was traveling to the Winter Olympics on a private jet, the internet reacted with mixed feelings. “Time to shine,” wrote one supportive fan,” while others felt she wasn’t getting into the team spirit. “A bit too much. Please keep your feet on the ground,” criticized another follower. Leerdam also missed the opening ceremony in Milan and watched the events on television. She expressed regret at not being able to see Mariah Carey perform live at the event, however.
Overcome setbacks and come back stronger
While the video footage circulating online showing Leerdam falling and ripping her tights isn’t real, the star has certainly tasted the ice during her storied career, most notably during the 2026 Olympic qualifiers, when the skater fell that meant her dreams of competing in the 1000 meters were almost crushed.
To cool down, Leerdam unzipped her top after the accident, but set her pulse racing again as she exposed her red sports bra, which no doubt contributed to her huge Instagram following. Despite failing to clock an official time during qualifying, the Dutch team selectors gave her an assigned spot instead. based on its solid track record. “I came back,” the star explainedwho also qualified for the 500 meters.
Engaged to social media star Jake Paul
With Leerdam now setting her sights on a second gold at these Games, her fans and followers are just as obsessed with her personal life. The seven-time world champion, who took home a silver medal at the 2022 Beijing Games, got engaged to Jake Paul in March 2025 after he surprised her with a marriage proposal. To woo Leerdam, the social media influencer even flew her parents to Saint Lucia so they could be part of their lasting memory of that special day.
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