Three-time Olympic medalist Jutta Leerdam, a speed skating titan from the Netherlands, just dropped a video announcement that’s got everyone talking. She’s sitting out the upcoming season, but she’s not quite ready to call it a career. This news hit after she absolutely dominated the 2026 Milan Cortina Games, making it an even bigger head-scratcher.
Olympic Champion Says, “See Ya Next Season” (Maybe)
Leerdam, who is engaged to boxer Jake Paul, made the big reveal on her YouTube channel on Monday. “Am I retiring? One thing is for sure, you will not see me skate this season, that’s for sure,” Leerdam said around the eight-minute mark of the video. “I will not be competing this year, that’s for sure, so you will not see me on the ice.” She’s definitively off the ice for now, but here’s the kicker: she isn’t “fully closing the door” on a return. At only 27 years old, Leerdam made it clear that “Life changes, feelings change, and I wouldn’t feel comfortable saying I’m fully retiring forever.” It’s a smart move to keep options open, especially for someone who’s been at the top of her game for so long.
A Legacy Built on Gold and Silver
This announcement comes just seven months after Leerdam solidified her legend at the 2026 Milan Cortina Games. She snagged her first Olympic gold medal there, setting an Olympic record with a ridiculous 1:12.31 time in the women’s 1,000-meter speed skating final. Talk about clutch performance! Not satisfied with just gold, she also earned a silver medal in the women’s 500m back in February, bringing her career Olympic medal count to three. Her first Olympic hardware was a silver in the women’s 1,000m at the 2022 Beijing Olympics. On top of all that, she won her first global title at the 2017 World Junior Championships and has piled up six world championship gold medals in her adult career. This isn’t just a good skater; this is a true superstar.
What’s Next for the Speed Queen?
So, what does sitting out “this season” actually mean? For starters, Leerdam will miss the world championships next February in Beijing. That’s a huge competition to sit out, especially for an athlete of her caliber. The big question looming now is whether she will make a comeback in time for the 2030 Winter Olympics, which are set to take place in the French Alps. She’s still young, still a dominant force when she’s on the ice, and obviously passionate about the sport. Will we see her blazing trails towards another Olympic medal in four years? The speedskating world will definitely be watching, waiting to see if this isn’t goodbye, but just a long pause.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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