Jutta Leerdam sparks controversy with private jet travel to Winter Olympics
Dutch speed skater Jutta Leerdam has sparked controversy after opting to travel to the Milan Winter Olympics aboard a private jet rather than joining her national teammates for the journey, reports BritPanorama.
The 27-year-old, who secured a silver medal at the Beijing Games in 2022, posted footage and photographs of her luxurious flight on Instagram. The visuals featured personalised decorations, cupcakes bearing her image, a television screen displaying her likeness, and an upmarket meal.
Her fiancé, YouTuber and boxer Jake Paul, responded to her social media post with an encouraging message, stating, “Time to shine.” However, Leerdam’s decision to opt for private travel has faced harsh criticism from Dutch commentators as she prepares for her Olympic campaign.
Johan Lerksen, a former professional footballer and current television pundit, branded Leerdam a “diva” for her refusal to travel alongside the Dutch squad. He remarked, “She should want it of her own accord. She’s already living like a millionaire, with private jets and everything. Her behaviour is horrible to me, like that of a diva,” suggesting that coaching staff should take a firmer stance with the athlete.
The criticism is particularly pointed given that Leerdam is preparing to defend her Olympic medal credentials in Milan. She is set to compete in the women’s 1000-metre speed skating event on Monday, followed by the 500-metre race later in the Games. Her participation in the longer distance event had been jeopardised following a fall during her qualifying race in December.
Nonetheless, Dutch selection officials chose to grant her a spot in the 1000-metre competition after she demonstrated impressive performance in the 500-metre qualifier. The KNSB, the Dutch skating federation, determined her inclusion was warranted after she qualified among the nine Dutch women in the shorter distance event.
Leerdam conveyed her gratitude on social media after learning of her Olympic selection, stating, “See you in Milan for the 500 and 1000m! After my fall in the 1000m, I refocused, bounced back and qualified for the 500m.” She also clarified that her selection in the 1000-metre event did not come at the expense of another competitor, expressing, “What makes me happiest is that this decision doesn’t affect any other woman in the process. So grateful that everything worked out.”
The speed skater began her relationship with Paul in 2023, with the couple announcing their engagement the following year in a celebration on the Caribbean island of St Lucia, where her engagement ring was reportedly valued at over £700,000.
As the Winter Olympics approach, Leerdam’s journey to Milan is as much about her athletic prowess as it is about the controversies surrounding her choices, reflecting the often complicated intersection of sports, celebrity, and national representation. The story not only underscores the scrutiny athletes face but also raises questions about the expectations placed on them in the public eye.
