"Jutta Leerdam Claps Back at Critics in Heartfelt Winter Olympics Post: 'It's So Ironic!'"

JUTTA LEERDAM has posted a heartfelt message hitting out at her critics after winning Winter Olympics gold.

Leerdam won gold for the Netherlands in Milan Cortina in the women’s 1,000metres speed skating, setting a new Olympic record of 1:12.31.

Jutta Leerdam hit back at her critics in a candid Instagram postCredit: AP She urged her supporters to ‘never let anyone dim your light’Credit: AP

The 27-year-old, who is the fiancee of influencer-turned-boxer , later won silver in the women’s 500m event.

Following her remarkable exploits at the Games, Leerdam took to Instagram to reflect on the achievements.

But rather than using a picture of herself with a gold medal in hand, she shared one of herself mid-celebration after the race with winged eyeliner running down her cheek.

This was done on purpose by Leerdam, who used it to hit back at her critics who have criticised her for the wearing of eyeliner and make-up.

In the post she said: “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.

Jutta enjoyed an amazing GamesCredit: Instagram @juttaleerdam Her profile has risen since she started dating PaulCredit: Getty

“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 continued: “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.”

Paul was in Italy for the Games to cheer Jutta on Jutta won gold and silverCredit: Getty

The emotion shared between Leerdam and Paul is one of the defining moments of these Games.

The couple, who publicly confirmed their relationship in April 2023 before announcing they had gotten engaged in March 2025,

Countrywoman Femke Kok, the World Cup leader, went faster than anyone had ever done before at the with a mark of 1:12.59.

But then a few minutes later, Leerdam incredibly broke that mark by 0.28 seconds in a performance of spectacular skating.

She got a Royal Seal of Approval as the King of her country had made the trip to see a memorable Dutch 1-2.

And to think she only scrapped through after a fall at the national trials in December.