Jutta Leerdam skips Olympics opening ceremony amid ‘diva’ accusations
Dutch speed skater Jutta Leerdam chose to miss the Winter Olympics opening ceremony, instead watching the spectacle unfold from her bed just one day after facing accusations of being a “diva,” reports BritPanorama.
The 26-year-old, engaged to YouTuber and boxer Jake Paul, opted not to join her Dutch teammates at Milan’s iconic San Siro stadium as the Games officially commenced. Instead, Leerdam watched the proceedings on television from her accommodation, a decision followed by controversy surrounding her travel arrangements to the Milano Cortina Games.
Leerdam later shared an image on her Instagram stories depicting the Netherlands delegation taking centre stage, accompanied by an orange heart emoji, a lion symbol, and the Dutch national flag as her teammates waved to the crowd. While athletes from various nations gathered at the stadium to celebrate the Games’ start, the speed skater remained absent from the festivities.
This decision to skip the ceremony came merely 24 hours after Dutch television pundit Johan Derksen publicly criticized her for travelling to the Games via private jet instead of alongside her national teammates. In his remarks, Derksen stated, “She should want it of her own accord,” further adding that her existing lifestyle—characterized by private jets—painted a picture of divisive behavior, likening it to that of a diva.
Following his characterisation, he expressed, “If I were her coach, I wouldn’t tolerate that. Gradually the whole of the Netherlands is starting to get a bit fed up with her behaviour.” Leerdam had documented her solo journey to Italy through social media, showcasing the extravagant travel experience, which ultimately drew criticism.
Despite the ongoing scrutiny, the Beijing silver medallist remains focused on her participation at the Games, with her schedule set to include the women’s 1000m speed skating event on Monday, followed by the 500m race on 15 February.
In the world of high-stakes sports, how quickly public sentiment can pivot—one moment an athlete enjoys adulation, and the next they face backlash, betraying that even in the arena of the Winter Olympics, reputations can be as slippery as the ice beneath their skates.
