Jutta Leerdam's Olympic Skating Suit Fetches Record €195,000 at Auction
The racing suit worn by Dutch speed skater Jutta Leerdam during her medal-winning performances at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina has been sold for a staggering €195,000, equivalent to approximately £170,453. This remarkable sale not only highlights the immense value placed on Olympic memorabilia but also establishes a new benchmark in the sports collectibles market.
Historic Auction and Record-Breaking Sale
Organised by TeamNL and NOC*NSF, the Dutch Olympic Committee and Sports Federation, the auction featured an extensive collection of 86 outfits and items worn by the Dutch speed skating team during the Winter Games. In total, the event raised an impressive €275,345, with Leerdam's suit emerging as the standout lot, commanding the highest price.
The sale of Leerdam's suit has set a new record on the sports memorabilia platform MatchWornShirt, surpassing the previous record held by football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo. Ronaldo's match-worn shirt from Portugal's encounter against Hungary last year was sold for just under €63,000, making Leerdam's achievement particularly noteworthy.
Bidding Frenzy and Charitable Proceeds
The auction witnessed an intense bidding war for Leerdam's suit, with the price skyrocketing from an initial £8,416 to over £170,000 within a matter of hours. The winning bidder, hailing from Leerdam's home nation of the Netherlands, secured this prized piece of Olympic history.
All proceeds from the auction are being directed to IJsvereniging Pijnacker, the local sports club where Leerdam and many other Olympians began their skating careers. Club chairman Johan van Dam expressed both gratitude and responsibility, stating, "We are incredibly happy with this and feel a responsibility to carefully consider how we can best use this wonderful amount."
Club official Jacquielin van Winden echoed this sentiment, telling Dutch outlet Omroep West, "This is incredible. We are absolutely astonished as we watched it. I want to discuss it with NOC*NSF and the Leerdam family first. And of course, I want to thank them as well."
Leerdam's Olympic Success and Additional Sales
Jutta Leerdam's performance at the 2026 Winter Olympics was nothing short of spectacular, earning her a gold medal in the 1000m event and a silver medal in the 500m. Her suit from these races has now become a symbol of that success, capturing the attention of collectors worldwide.
Other notable items from the auction included:
- Leerdam's jacket from the closing ceremony, which sold for €4,826.
- The suit worn by Femke Kok, who edged out Leerdam for gold in the 500m, fetching €4,602.
- Kjeld Nuis' suit from his bronze medal-winning 1500m final, sold for €1,010.
- A flag carried by Jens van’t Wout and Kimberley Bos at the opening ceremony, which went for €400.
- Jorrit Bergsma's headband, sold for €370.
This auction not only celebrates the achievements of Dutch athletes but also underscores the growing market for Olympic memorabilia, with Leerdam's record-breaking sale setting a new standard for future auctions.
