Leerdam Adds Silver to Olympic Haul, Kok Sets Record in 500m Speedskating
Dutch speed skater Jutta Leerdam secured her second medal of the 2026 Winter Olympics on Sunday, February 15, claiming silver in the women’s 500-meter race. This adds to her gold medal win in the 1,000-meter event earlier in the Games, solidifying her position as a dominant force in long-track speed skating.
Fellow Dutch skater Femke Kok took gold with an Olympic-record time of 36.49 seconds. Leerdam finished just behind, clocking in at 37.15 seconds. Japan’s Miho Takagi rounded out the podium with a bronze medal, posting a time of 37.27 seconds.
The performance from Kok was particularly impressive, setting a new benchmark for the event. Leerdam had previously held the fastest time in the race before Kok’s record-breaking run.
American Erin Jackson, the 2022 Beijing Games gold medalist, finished fifth with a time of 37.32 seconds, falling short of a podium finish this time around. Jake Paul, Leerdam’s fiancé, was in attendance to cheer her on, visibly reacting to her strong performance.
Leerdam’s success at the 2026 Winter Olympics caps off a remarkable Games for the Dutch skater. She previously won gold in the 1,000 meters, setting an Olympic record with a time of 1:12.31. This victory surpassed a previous record held by Kok.
The 25-year-old Leerdam, who is also the 2022 World Sprint Champion, indicated she feels she has achieved her goals in the sport, reflecting on a career marked by consistent success. She is also a World Single Distance Champion in the 1000m (2020 and 2023) and in the team sprint (2019 and 2020).
Despite her Olympic success, Leerdam chose to skip the TeamNL House celebration following her 500m silver medal, according to reports.
Meanwhile, Kok’s dedication extends beyond the ice; she is also a passionate cyclist, enjoying the sport as a key part of her training regimen.
