Jutta Leerdam shared a glimpse of her grandmother’s reaction to her Olympic medals, as the 27-year-old visited her after the 2026 Winter Olympics. The ice skater won two medals in Milan, one gold and one silver.
Leerdam competed in the 1000-meter long-track speed skating event, where she delivered a commendable performance, securing her first-ever Olympic gold medal. Setting a new Olympic record, she finished her race with a time of 1:21.32, besting Femke Kok and the defending champion Takagi Miho, who earned second and third places, respectively. In addition to this, Leerdam also won a silver medal in the 500m event in Milan.
Days after her stunning win, Leerdam shared a wholesome reaction from her grandmother, who was also a skater, on social media. Taking to Instagram, she posted a video in which her grandmother expressed her delight with the medals and also wore them while lauding the skater for her win.
Leerdam also penned an emotional note for her grandmother in the caption that read:
“First thing I did when I came home. I will cherish this moment forever. Oma always says that skating gave her a purpose after opa died. She has printed every single article about me in the past 15 years and she always watches everything. I’m so happy I could make you happy, you deserve this. I love you omiee @rietvollebregt ❤️,” wrote Jutta Leerdam.
This was the Dutch skater’s second Olympic appearance, the first coming in 2022, where she won a silver medal in the 1000-meter speed skating event.
Jutta Leerdam Reflects on Her Gold-Medal Victory at 2026 Winter Olympics
Jutta Leerdam reflected on her Olympic victory with an emotional note on social media. She posted a picture of her winning moment on Instagram, as she had tears of joy, and her eyeliner was running down her cheeks. She penned a heartfelt note, highlighting her journey to reach the top of the podium.
Opening up about how she was judged for her looks and what the picture means to her, she wrote:
“For me, this picture captured everything my Olympics stood for. 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,” wrote Jutta Leerdam.
She added:
“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. ✨”
Jutta Leerdam treated herself to a luxury purchase within 24 hours of her gold medal win at the Winter Olympics. She posted a video of her first-ever Birkin bag on TikTok.
Read More News:
1. Mikaela Shiffrin Rejects The Stereotypical Redemption, Medal Drought Narrative After Winning Gold At The 2026 Winter Olympics
3. Alysa Liu’s Best Friend Offers Rare Look at Her Return After a Landmark Olympic Performance
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in tennis, college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
