Jutta Leerdam faces backlash after flying private to Winter Olympics as critics call her behavior selfish and distracting

Jutta Leerdam did not even step onto the ice yet, but she is already in the middle of a storm. The Dutch speed skater, who is also engaged to YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, is being heavily criticized in the Netherlands for how she arrived at the Winter Olympics in Italy.

Leerdam flew to the Milan-Cortina Games on a private jet instead of traveling with the rest of the Dutch team.

She shared the entire trip on Instagram, showing custom decorations, personal support messages, and her close group traveling with her. Soon after, she was seen taking a private car to the athletes’ village and posing for photos in front of the Olympic rings. Back home, the reaction was harsh. Several Dutch sports voices openly questioned her behavior, calling it selfish and distracting.

The criticism has grown louder just weeks before she competes on the biggest stage of her career at the Winter Olympics.

Why Dutch critics say Jutta Leerdam’s Olympic behavior crossed a line

The strongest comments came from former football player and TV analyst Johan Derksen. Speaking on Dutch television, he said, “She should want it of her own accord. She is already living like a millionaire, with private jets and everything. Her behavior is horrible to me, like that of a diva. If I were her coach, I would not tolerate that.

Gradually, the whole of the Netherlands is getting fed up with her behavior.”Another well-known voice, De Telegraaf analyst Valentijn Driessen, pointed out how visible Leerdam has become in Olympic promotions. He said her image is everywhere, even along highways, with signs reading “Support Jutta, support Jutta.” He added that it feels like she is being treated as the only Dutch athlete heading to the Games.Despite the noise, Leerdam’s skating record speaks for itself.

She is an Olympic silver medalist from the 2022 Winter Games and a multiple-time world champion. Her fame did grow faster after her relationship with Jake Paul became public, but her success on the ice came long before that.On the sporting side, her Olympic journey has not been smooth. She fell during Dutch qualifying in the 1,000-meter race, her main event, and left the ice in tears. A day later, she secured a spot in the 500-meter race. For weeks, she waited for the final decision. On New Year’s Day, Leerdam confirmed on Instagram that the Dutch selection committee picked her for both the 500m and 1,000m races.Now, as competition nears, attention is split. Some focus on her medals. Others focus on her choices. Either way, all eyes will be on Jutta Leerdam when she steps onto the ice in Milan.