Jutta Leerdam, the Olympic speedskating champion, announced her decision to step back from competition this season. This revelation came shortly after her stunning gold medal win at the Milan-Cortina Winter Games earlier this year, where she showcased her talent in front of fiancé Jake Paul.

In a video shared on her YouTube channel, which garnered over 160,000 views, Leerdam stated, "One thing is for sure, you will not see me skate this season." At 27 years old, the Dutch athlete expressed that life changes and feelings evolve, emphasizing that she does not feel comfortable labeling this as a full retirement.

Leerdam made headlines in February by winning gold in the 1,000 meters, where she set a new Olympic record with a time of 1:12.31. Her remarkable performance included:

• Shaving nearly three-tenths of a second off the previous record
• Securing silver in the 500 meters
• Leaving her fiancé emotional as he cheered from the sidelines

With a history of being a two-time world champion, Leerdam's absence this winter means she will miss significant events, including the European Championships in Heerenveen and the world championships in Beijing.

Despite her hiatus, Leerdam plans to continue engaging with her fans through social media, where she boasts 6.3 million followers on Instagram. She recently attended the US Open women’s singles final with Paul, where Elena Rybakina claimed victory.

As Leerdam pauses her competitive career, she reflects on her multifaceted identity beyond skating, hinting at a bright future ahead.