Jutta Leerdam skips Winter Olympics opening ceremony as private jet backlash and diva debate follow her to Milan

Jutta Leerdam made a quiet choice that quickly turned into a big talking point at the Winter Olympics. The Dutch speed skater did not walk into the opening ceremony with her team in Milan.

Instead, she stayed back and watched the event from her hotel bed. The moment came just one day after she faced harsh criticism at home for flying to the Games on a private jet. Leerdam, who is engaged to YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, shared the scene on her Instagram Stories. While athletes from around the world waved to fans inside the San Siro stadium, Leerdam posted a photo of the Dutch team on television. She added an orange heart, a lion, and the Netherlands flag.The post caught attention fast. Some fans supported her choice to rest before competition. Others linked it to the growing debate around her lifestyle and recent comments made by a Dutch TV analyst. With races coming up soon, Leerdam now finds herself balancing Olympic focus with public noise.

Jutta Leerdam faces fresh attention after skipping ceremony following private jet backlash

But Jutta Leerdam was not among them, instead of joining the walk-in, she chose to stay back and watch the ceremony on TV from bed.Her timing raised eyebrows. Just 24 hours earlier, Leerdam had been criticized on Dutch television for traveling to Milan on a private jet rather than with the rest of the Netherlands team. The comments came from former footballer and TV pundit Johan Derksen.Jutta Leerdam had shared photos and videos from the flight on social media.

The posts showed a luxury setup, including decorated items, cupcakes, a personal screen display, and a full meal onboard. Those images did not sit well with Derksen, who questioned her attitude and choices.Speaking on Dutch TV, Derksen said, “She should want it of her own accord. She’s already living like a millionaire, with private jets and everything. Her behaviour is horrible to me, like that of a diva. If I were her coach, I wouldn’t tolerate that.

Gradually the whole of the Netherlands is starting to get a bit fed up with her behaviour.”Despite the noise, Leerdam’s focus now turns to competition. She is set to skate in the women’s 1000-metre speed skating event on Monday. She will also race in the 500-metre event on February 15. Jutta Leerdam won a silver medal at the Beijing Winter Olympics in 2022 and remains one of the Netherlands’ top medal hopes. For now, she has not publicly responded to the criticism.