Dutch speedskater Jutta Leerdam opened up about being judged for her looks in an emotional message after winning gold and silver at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.
The 27-year-old Leerdam was in tears after her first-place finish in the women’s 1,000m long track speedskating competition set a new Olympic record and a viral photo showed her with black mascara running down her face.
In an Instagram post Thursday, she explained that her winged eyeliner and mascara give her confidence, despite being made fun of for her makeup on the ice.
“For me, this picture captured everything my Olympics stood for,” Leerdam wrote. “This moment proves you don’t have to become less of yourself to achieve something great. That your looks don’t define you as a person or as an athlete. That if you work hard and stay determined, it will all come together.
“It’s so ironic because my winged eyeliner and make-up are something I’ve been judged for during my whole career, when all it ever did was give me confidence and make me feel feminine and powerful.
“The pressure I’ve felt, the judgment I’ve dealt with around so many things, the hard work I’ve been putting in for so many years all came together in this moment.
“I never felt the need to prove anything. I did this for me, my younger self, my family and for all women who don’t want to be put in a box and just want to be their authentic selves.
“A reminder that you can be soft and strong, disciplined and feminine, all at once. Never let anyone dim your light. ✨ Love love love 🤍.”
Leerdam’s fiancé, boxer and YouTuber Jake Paul commented, “iconic.”
Paul bawled his eyes out while hugging his mom, Pam, and Leerdam’s mom, Monique, in the stands at the Milano Speed Skating Stadium after Leerdam won gold, as seen in photos from the event.
Leerdam clocked 1:12.31 to set a new Olympic record in the women’s 1,000m long track speedskating competition — edging her Dutch teammate, Femke Kok, into silver.
She took home silver with a second-place finish to her teammate, Kok, in the 500-meter speedskating race Sunday.
She finished 0.66 seconds slower than Kok, who set an Olympic record with her time of 36.49 seconds.
Paul and Leerdam got engaged in Italy last March.