Jake Paul's Fiancee Jutta Leerdam to Compete in 2026 Olympics Despite Crash in Trials

Speed skater Jutta Leerdam, fiancée of social media influencer and boxer Jake Paul, will compete for the Netherlands in the 2026 Winter Olympics despite crashing out in national trials.

Leerdam was named to the Dutch Olympic team for the women's 500-meter and 1,000-meter speed skates by the Dutch figure skating association KNSB on Thursday ahead of the upcoming tournament in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy.

The KNSB said in a statement Leerdam, who fell in the 1,000-meter qualifiers, had been given a spot on the race team because of her past dominance in the event.

The association noted the decision did not keep any other competitors off the nine-person team, given that Leerdam had already claimed one of nine roster spots by qualifying for the 500 meter.

Leerdam celebrated the decision in a post on Instagram.

"After my fall in the 1000m, I refocused, bounced back and qualified for the 500m," Leerdam wrote. "Only nine Dutch women in total can qualify for the Games. I was one of the nine through my 500m. With one spot on the 1000m still available, the KNSB decided to add me to the 1000m!

"What makes me happiest is that this decision doesn't affect any other woman in the process. So grateful that everything worked out. Milan, here we come."

Leerdam previously represented her country at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, where she won a silver medal in the women's 1,000-meter speed skate.

The 26-year-old most recently claimed two World Cup wins in the 1,000-meter this season.

Her hopes of making the Olympic team were called into question when, before finishing second in the 500-meter race during the Dutch Olympic Trials, she fell and did not complete the 1,000 meter.

Leerdam said in a social media post after the fall that she would "most likely" be competing in the 500-meter race during the Olympics.

"A very unfortunate moment during my best distance... Now we wait and hope I get the opportunity to skate the distance I've won multiple World Cup golds in this season," Leerdam wrote.

Leerdam's recent wins in the 1,000-meter, most recently including a victory at the ISU Speed Skating World Cup in December, apparently swayed the Dutch team's decision to have her represent her country.

She will now resume her quest for her first Olympic gold when speed skating competition begins February in Milan.