MILAN, Italy – A playful rumor born of Olympic speculation has blossomed into a genuine training partnership between two of the sport’s brightest stars. Dutch speed skater Jutta Leerdam and American sensation Jordan Stolz, both medalists at the Winter Olympics in Milan, have begun skating laps together in practice, a development initially fueled by a false report.
Leerdam, who secured a silver medal in the women’s 500 meters on , and Stolz, the gold medalist in the men’s 500 meters on , initially dismissed talk of joint training sessions. However, the conversation sparked a lighthearted challenge that ultimately led to them sharing the ice.
“So it was just a made-up rumor and then we were just on the (stationary) bike,” Leerdam explained after her 500m race. “We were like, ‘Well, maybe I should do some laps.’ He was like, ‘Yeah, perfect.’”
The impromptu collaboration came after Leerdam had already established herself as a force in Milan, having previously won gold in the women’s 1,000 meters while setting an Olympic record. Stolz, meanwhile, was making waves with his own dominant performances, claiming gold in both the men’s 1,000 meters and 500 meters, also setting Olympic records in each event.
Leerdam acknowledged the potential benefits of skating behind Stolz, recognizing his exceptional timing and technique. “He’s super good at skating, so I kind of understand his timing when you skate behind someone and it can always help,” she said. However, she also emphasized that her own timing was already well-established, and the practice session was primarily a few exploratory laps.
“I just did a few laps. But yeah, it was just interesting that it was all made up, and it ended up working pretty well,” Leerdam added.
The story highlights the often-blurred lines between reality and rumor in the high-pressure environment of the Olympic Games. Leerdam expressed some frustration with the media’s tendency to create narratives, particularly when it distracts from the athletes’ focus on competition.
“It’s not easy, especially with the media and stuff, because they want stories. And if they don’t have stories, they make up stories,” Leerdam stated. “That is something I hope maybe changes for future, other athletes, because it’s kind of hard to deal with as an athlete if you just want to focus on skating fast.”
Beyond the athletic implications, Leerdam’s Olympic experience has been further complicated by the intense media attention surrounding her relationship with Jake Paul, the American YouTuber-turned-boxer, who was seen celebrating her silver medal win in the stands. The added scrutiny, she suggested, makes it even more important for athletes to maintain focus and block out distractions.
The unexpected training session between Leerdam and Stolz underscores the camaraderie that can develop even between competitors, and the willingness of athletes to embrace unexpected opportunities. While initially a playful response to a fabricated story, the collaboration could potentially offer both skaters a new perspective and a competitive edge as they pursue further success at the Milan Cortina Winter Games. Stolz still has two events remaining in the competition.
Leerdam’s success in Milan has been remarkable, securing both a gold and a silver medal. Her Olympic record in the 1,000 meters further solidifies her position as one of the world’s leading speed skaters. Stolz, at 21, has quickly emerged as a dominant force in the sport, captivating audiences with his speed and precision. His two gold medals and Olympic records signal a promising future for the young American skater.
