IN CONVERSATION WITH JUTTA LEERDAM
interview by SAMO ŠAJN
Jutta Leerdam is a Dutch speed skater who has become one of the most dominant and recognizable athletes in her sport. At just 26 years old, she has already won an impressive seven World Championship titles, a testament to her incredible talent and hard work on the ice. Beyond her athletic achievements, Jutta isn't just a dominant speed skater, she's also become a global icon whose influence reaches far beyond the world of sports. She balances her rigorous training as an elite athlete with her role as a global influencer, using her platform to inspire a new generation.
You’ve already won 7 World Championship titles at just 26 years old. What drives you to keep pushing for more when you’ve already accomplished so much?
Every season it feels like I start over. I almost forget that I have titles. I start from scratch and go for the highest achievable result possible every season. I want to break my own records or win whatever championships there are in that season. And always go for my highest level possible. I don’t focus on old results, competition or even the titles I’m skating for in that moment I really just focus on the highest result possible for myself. Self-improvement is always motivating to me.
You’ve had a meteoric rise since entering senior competition in 2019. What’s been the most challenging aspect of maintaining peak performance during this rapid climb?
It happened pretty fast. I never won a medal at the World Cups, and then suddenly I became a world champion and almost skated a world record. I skipped a whole phase. After that, I felt more pressure, but I used it as fuel and motivation to get better results and more world titles. That shock feeling of the win was one of the best moments in my career.
With the 2026 Milan Olympics ahead, are you preparing any differently compared to your past world championships?
I'm always training hard, but this season there’s something extra. I'm doing everything in every aspect to improve as much as I can, from resting well to training hard. There’s no room to risk not being my 100% best version of myself. Even though it’s not a big difference, it’s just all out, all in. I hope to see that result in faster times on the ice.
With over 6.7 million followers and being the most-followed Winter Olympic athlete, how do you balance being both an elite athlete and a global influencer?
It's strange to see that number, and I'm very grateful that all these people are willing to follow my journey. I try to give as much insight as I can because I hope to use my platform for good and inspire people. It’s also something I can have fun with besides training, and it gives me a lot of energy. It comes naturally and doesn’t take a lot of time, which is why it stays fun.
Many athletes struggle to connect with audiences outside their sport, but you’ve become a cultural icon in the Netherlands and beyond. What do you think resonates most with your fans worldwide?
I’m just being myself, and I appreciate people seeing that. On TikTok, I feel I can be more of myself and it doesn’t feel as serious—it’s like I’m FaceTiming my friends. I think people see that I’m truly and fully myself and that I have fun with it. I’ve always known there is more to life than skating; I love my family, and I love to explore the world and do things that make me happy. I think that radiates through my energy, and maybe that's what people feel.
You’ve been featured in major media outlets and now you are also a star on a reality show. How do you navigate staying authentic while being in the public eye so much?
I think being in the public eye has made me more myself. While I’ve become a little more guarded with people outside my circle, when a camera is filming or I'm making content, I can be myself and invite them in my circle. It feels like I'm talking to my friends. I will always stay true to who I am, and my family is a big part of that. They are my safe haven and keep me grateful for the right things in life.
Speed skating is huge in the Netherlands, but you’ve helped expand its visibility globally. How important is it to you to inspire the next generation of athletes, both in your country and internationally?
The times have changed. Our national sport used to be just on TV, and older generations would write down times in a little notebook. I’m happy I’ve helped build a new audience for the sport. The amount of messages I get from parents saying their kids were inspired to start skating is insane. I think it’s one of the things I’m most proud of, getting a new audience to fall in love with this hard, intense, and technical sport so we can keep it alive.
You’ve already partnered with some of the world’s best brands. What do you look for in a partnership, and how do you ensure it aligns with your values as both an athlete and public figure?
I'm very picky with partnerships. First, I’m an athlete, and I never want a partnership to get in the way of my performance. Second, I want the brand to align with my values. I prefer long-term partnerships where we can build something together and grow with them in my career. I don't partner with many brands and pick them carefully, but when I do, I'm all in. I'd rather over-deliver and make the partnership truly mean something.
After the Olympics, what are your long-term goals, both in sport and outside of it?
I first of course really just want to focus on skating and the Olympics, so I don’t really try to think as much about it, but one of my goals besides skating is to become a mom and start a family, but first I really focus on this goal and get everything out of it before, of course I like to dream about the future, but I want to enjoy and focus on this chapter first. I think we should sometimes just live more in the present. And right now, my eyes are on the Olympics.
If you could describe your mindset going into the Milan 2026 Olympics in just three words, what would they be?
Focused, disciplined, and dedicated. That’s really my mindset going into Milan 2026.
TEAM CREDITS:
talent JUTTA LEERDAM
photography DANIEL SARS
styling TOMMY DRIESSEN
hair WIARDI KOOPMEINERS using Oribe and Varis
makeup DANI FUERZA
editor TIMOTEJ LETONJA
interview SAMO ŠAJN
cover design ARTHUR ROELOFFZEN
location AMSTEL HOTEL
