Dutch star Kok sets Olympic record to win 500m speedskating gold

Femke Kok won the women’s 500m at the Milan Olympics with an Olympic record time, extending her undefeated streak in the event since February 2024.yahoo
Teammate Jutta Leerdam claimed silver after winning 1000m gold earlier in the Games, while Japan’s Miho Takagi earned her second bronze of the week.yahoo
Defending champion Erin Jackson of the U.S., who made history in Beijing as the first Black woman to win individual Winter Olympic gold, finished fifth.yahoo

Jutta Leerdam Caps Historic Olympics With 1000m Gold and 500m Silver

Dutch speed skater Jutta Leerdam ended the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics with two medals, winning gold in the women’s 1000 meters and silver in the 500 meters on Sunday. Her teammate Femke Kok claimed 500m gold with an Olympic record time of 36.49 seconds, while Leerdam finished 0.66 seconds behind for silver and Japan’s Miho Takagi took bronze.yahoo

The 27-year-old Leerdam, who is engaged to boxer and internet personality Jake Paul, has cemented her status as one of the sport’s biggest stars. With more than five million Instagram followers, she is the most followed speed skater in history.olympics

A Record-Breaking Week on the Ice

Leerdam’s gold-medal performance in the 1000m on February 9 was the highlight of her Games. She crossed the finish line in 1 minute, 12.31 seconds, setting a new Olympic record and narrowly defeating Kok, who had established her own Olympic record of 1:12.59 moments earlier in a preceding race. Takagi, the defending champion from the 2022 Beijing Olympics, finished third in 1:13.95.olympics

Paul was seated in the crowd and was captured on camera wiping away tears as Leerdam celebrated her victory. “I can’t stop crying,” the 29-year-old boxer posted on social media after witnessing his fiancée’s triumph.bloodyelbow

Kok Turns the Tables in the 500m

While Leerdam specializes in the 1000m, the 500m is Kok’s territory. The 25-year-old world record holder had not lost a 500m race since February 2024 and entered Sunday’s final as the overwhelming favorite. She delivered, lowering the Olympic record from 37.94 seconds set by Nao Kodaira at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games.isu-skating

Defending Olympic champion Erin Jackson of the United States finished fifth, 0.83 seconds off the pace. Jackson, who made history in Beijing as the first Black woman to win an individual Winter Olympic gold medal, struggled against the dominant Dutch duo.yahoo

A Dream Fulfilled

The gold medal marked a personal milestone for Leerdam, who won silver in the 1000m at the 2022 Beijing Games behind Takagi. Asked about her future following her 1000m triumph, she remained noncommittal. “I really do not know yet. Right now, I need to let this moment sink in,” she said.si