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Jutta Leerdam

Jutta Monica Leerdam is a Dutch long-track speed skater born on 30 December 1998 in ’s-Gravenzande, Netherlands.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Jutta Monica Leerdam is a Dutch long-track speed skater born on 30 December 1998 in ’s-Gravenzande, Netherlands. She specializes in sprint distances, especially the 500 m and 1000 m, and has won Olympic and multiple world championship medals. At the 2026 Winter Olympics, she won gold in the 1000 m and silver in the 500 m.

Early life and junior career

Leerdam grew up in the south of the Netherlands and started speed skating at age 11. She achieved major junior success in 2017, winning the women’s allround and 1500 m titles at the World Junior Championships.

Senior international career

After moving up to senior competition, Leerdam won team sprint gold at the 2019 World Single Distances Championships and 1000 m gold in 2020. She later added major podium finishes at the 2022 Winter Olympics and subsequent world championships.

Olympic success

Leerdam won silver in the 1000 m at the 2022 Beijing Olympics. At the 2026 Winter Olympics, she won gold in the 1000 m with an Olympic record and also took silver in the 500 m.

World championship achievements

Leerdam has won multiple world championship medals, including world sprint and single-distance titles. Her strongest event has been the 1000 m, where she has also captured world titles.

Key facts

  • Leerdam is a Dutch speed skater specializing in sprint events.
  • She began speed skating at age 11 after initially playing field hockey.
  • She won world junior titles in 2017 and was a runner-up in 2018.
  • She won silver in the 1000 m at the 2022 Winter Olympics.
  • She won gold in the 1000 m at the 2026 Winter Olympics with an Olympic record.
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Canadian context

Leerdam is relevant to Canadian readers mainly through international speed skating competition, including Olympic and world championship events followed by Canadian winter sports audiences.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Jutta Leerdam?
Jutta Leerdam is a Dutch long-track speed skater known for sprint events, especially the 500 m and 1000 m.
What is Jutta Leerdam’s biggest Olympic achievement?
She won gold in the 1000 m at the 2026 Winter Olympics, setting an Olympic record.
What medals has she won at the Olympics?
She has won one Olympic gold and two Olympic silver medals.
What events does she compete in?
She primarily competes in the 500 m and 1000 m sprint distances.
When did she start speed skating?
She took up speed skating at age 11.
What are her major world titles?
She is a World Sprint Champion and a World Single Distance Champion in the 1000 m and team sprint.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jutta_Leerdam
    Supports: Birth date, nationality, sport, event specialization, Olympic medals, and world titles.
  2. Olympics.com — https://www.olympics.com/en/athletes/jutta-leerdam
    Supports: Started skating at 11, junior career, senior team sprint title, and 1000 m breakthrough.
  3. NBC Olympics — https://www.nbcolympics.com/news/jutta-leerdam-meet-athlete
    Supports: Youth hockey background, age started skating, sprint events, and athlete profile details.
  4. CNN — https://www.cnn.com/2026/02/10/sport/jutta-leerdam-dutch-speed-skater-olympics
    Supports: 2026 Olympic gold in 1000 m and Olympic record, plus broader career context.