Jake Paul‘s speed skater fiancee Jutta Leerdam will compete in two events at the Winter Olympics after bouncing back from a disastrous fall on the ice last week.
Leerdam stunningly crashed out of Netherlands qualifying for the 1,000m race that she specializes and left the ice in tears before the next day clinching a place in the 500m event at next month’s games in Milan.
As a result of her tumble, the 27-year-old was left anxiously waiting on the verdict of the Netherlands’ selection committee for a spot in the 1,000m.
But she took to Instagram on Thursday to reveal the selection committee had picked her to compete in the 1,000m, as well as the 500m.
She wrote: ‘See you in Milan for the 500 & 1000m!!! After my fall in the 1000m, I refocused, bounced back and qualified for the 500m.
‘Only nine Dutch women in total can qualify for the Games. I was one of the nine through my 500m. With one spot on the 1000m still available, the KNSB decided to add me to the 1000m!
Jake Paul’s fiancee Jutta Leerdam has been awarded a place at the Winter Olympics
Leerdam crashed out of her signature event, the 1000m distance, after a nasty fall last week
‘What makes me happiest is that this decision doesn’t affect any other woman in the process. So grateful that everything worked out. Milan, here we come.’
Paul was among the first to comment, simply posting three padlock emojis.
Paul traveled to the Netherlands to support Leerdam in her Winter Olympics trials just days after having his jaw broken in two places during his boxing match with Anthony Joshua.
Speaking to reporters after her tearful exit from the 1,000m qualifying, Paul said: ”I know this is her whole life. Her whole dream. And everything she’s worked so hard for. My heart is broken.’
Leerdam herself made a desperate plea to the selectors, saying: ”I’m skating so well in practice. What those girls are skating here, I could have easily skated today.
‘I’ve won the past World Cups. I’ve always been at least in the top two at the world level. I hope they (the selection committee) will look at my level, including today, how I was skating before I fell, and the growth I’m making.’
More to follow.
