Jutta Leerdam Emotionally Recalls Being 'Judged' for Wearing Makeup While Speedskating After Winning Olympic Gold

Skyler CarusoFri, February 20, 2026 at 8:06 PM UTC

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Jutta Leerdam of the Netherlands celebrates winning the gold medal in the women's 1,000 meters speedskating race at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Luca Bruno/AP

Jutta Leerdam opened up on Instagram about an emotional photo of herself at the 2026 Winter Olympics, where she medaled twice in women's speedskating for Team Netherlands

The picture featured a black tear drop dripping down her cheek, picking up the eye makeup she wore during the competition and symbolized something deeper

She took home a gold medal in the women's 1000-meter speedskating and a silver in the women's 500-meter

Jutta Leerdam's Olympic gold medal was fueled by blood, sweat and mascara-filled tears.

The Dutch athlete, 27, who won the women's 1000-meter at the 2026 Winter Games and broke the Olympic record, contributed her recent successes to remaining true to herself despite what critics have said to her along the way.

In a vulnerable Instagram post, Leerdam — who's engaged to Jake Paul — reflected on an emotional photo of herself captured after she competed in Milan, picturing a black teardrop dripping down her cheek as she took in the moment.

Jutta Leerdam wis gold in the speedskating women's 1000m at Milano Ice Park during the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Ranjith Kumar/NurPhoto via Getty

"For me, this picture captured everything my Olympics stood for," she 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."

Then, Leerdam opened up in her caption about the negativity she used to face for wearing makeup on the ice during competition. She blocked out the criticism, however, and is proud of herself for doing so — now captured in a powerful, full-circle photo.

"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," she wrote.

"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," Leerdam added. "I never felt the need to prove anything."

She made clear: "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 🤍 ."

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Jutta Leerdam of Netherlands competes during the women's 500m speedskating at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty

Leerdam came in first place in women's 1000m on Monday, Feb. 9, at the Milano Speed Skating Stadium, breaking the record with her time of 1:12.31.

The Dutch athlete had her fiancé, social media star and boxer Paul, 29, in the stands cheering her on as she won Olympic gold, and in a Reel posted to Instagram, he broke down in tears after her win as he celebrated with her family.

"MY BABY JUST SET THE OLYMPIC WORLD RECORD," he wrote on the video, adding the caption, "IM SO PROUD OF YOU @juttaleerdam."

Jutta Leerdam of Netherlands at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Daniel MUNOZ / AFP via Getty

Leerdam added to her medal count with a silver medal in women's 500m speedskating on Sunday, Feb. 15. She finished just behind her fellow countrywoman Femke Kok, who took home gold.

Erin Jackson, the Team USA star who won the event at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, was unable to defend her gold medal and finished in fifth, 0.83 behind Kok and just 0.05 off the podium.

Leerdam was in the first-place position coming down to the final two skaters, Kok and Jackson. Jackson took the lead after the first 250 meters, but couldn't hold on, as Kok skated away for gold.

Kok and Leerdam celebrated together, along with the bronze medalist, Japan's Miho Takagi, after Kok and Jackson's race.

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Source: “AOL Sports”