Olympic participation in danger
After a fall: speed skating star tears
12/27/2025 – 12:04 p.mReading time: 1 min.
The speed skater falls during the Olympic qualification and has to worry about her participation in the games. Her fiancé witnesses the drama.
Jutta Leerdam has suffered a bitter setback in her flagship discipline. The 26-year-old Dutchwoman missed the Olympic ticket over 1,000 meters at the qualifying tournament in Heerenveen – after falling into the boards at speed.
The silver medalist from Beijing 2022 slipped at high speed and hit the upholstery. She did not suffer an injury, but participation in the Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo (February 6th to 22nd) is now uncertain.
Leerdam’s fiancé Jake Paul, YouTuber and boxing career changer, witnessed the fall in the stands. The 28-year-old recently suffered a double broken jaw in a fight against former world champion Anthony Joshua.
Leerdam spoke tearfully after the race. Jutta Leerdam: “I think I deserve an Olympic ticket in the 1,000 meters. I won twice in the World Cup and I’m second in the intermediate rankings.” She has no explanation for the fall.
Instead, the 500 meter world record holder Femke Kok secured the place for the Olympics. Leerdam can still hope to take part – the Dutch umbrella organization NOCNSF could give her a starting place. In this case, however, another athlete would have to give way. Leerdam is also registered for the 500 and 1,500 meters. The qualifying tournament ends on December 30th.