Jake Paul at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics
At the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics on Monday, Jake Paul, the former YouTuber who has transitioned into boxing, was spotted in the stands for the women’s 1,000-meter speedskating event where his fiancée, Jutta Leerdam, was competing as a top contender. Dressed in a scarf that showcased the Dutch team’s vibrant orange, Paul chose to walk past reporters without providing any comments.
Jutta Leerdam’s Achievements
Leerdam, who took home a silver medal in the same event at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, is a decorated athlete with two world championship titles in the 1,000-meter distance and a remarkable record this season, winning three out of the four World Cup races she contested. She was set to race in the final of 15 heats on that day.
Social Media Presence
Both Leerdam and Paul boast significant followings on social media platforms—her Instagram account has garnered close to 5 million followers, while his reaches over 28 million. Their relationship draws considerable attention online, making Paul’s presence at the Olympics anticipated as he supports his fiancée.
Engagement and Controversy
The couple made headlines in March with their engagement announcement on Instagram. However, Paul has been vocal recently regarding American athletes sharing their views on political issues. He notably criticized these athletes through social media, particularly commenting on Puerto Rican musician Bad Bunny’s performance during the Super Bowl halftime show. Paul stated that he found it troubling to see someone he deemed anti-American perform at such a significant event.
“I found it troubling to see someone I deemed anti-American perform at such a significant event.”
This drew a rebuttal from his brother, Logan Paul, who stressed the pride in Puerto Rican culture and the importance of showcasing diverse talents. After some backlash, Jake Paul later clarified his stance, emphasizing his appreciation for Puerto Rico, where he resides, and acknowledging the sentiment that love triumphs over hate. He suggested, however, that criticizing the United States is akin to being a fake citizen.
Recent Appearances
Earlier in the Olympics, he was seen sitting alongside U.S. Vice President JD Vance at a women’s hockey match where the United States achieved a convincing 5-0 victory over Finland.
Future Competitions
Meanwhile, the 27-year-old Leerdam, a key figure in Dutch speedskating, is set to compete in the 500 meters event next Sunday, adding to her impressive collection of 12 world championship medals, six of which are gold. Paul, who is 29 and gained widespread recognition as a social media influencer before stepping into boxing five years ago, has also faced notable opponents in the ring, including former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua and UFC fighters like Anderson Silva and Nate Diaz. His most recent fight ended with a broken jaw after a sixth-round knockout in December against Joshua.
