Olympic champion Jutta Leerdam is leveraging her massive social media following to inspire a new generation of speed skaters. The Dutch star, who has over six million Instagram followers, said on Sunday that social media is not a distraction but a platform to encourage young girls to take up the sport.
The 27-year-old delivered the Netherlands' first gold medal of the Milano Cortina Games on Monday, setting an Olympic record of 1:12.31 in the women's 1,000 metres. She followed this with a silver medal in the 500m on Sunday, extending an impressive campaign that has seen high expectations placed upon her as a two-time world single-distance champion.
Leerdam's performances have drawn fervent support, with Dutch fans filling the Milano Speed Skating Stadium at every session. Notable spectators included American rapper Snoop Dogg on Sunday and her fiancé, social-media-star-turned-boxer Jake Paul, who watched emotionally as she claimed gold on Monday.
Asked how she uses her social media presence to promote speed skating, Leerdam told Reuters: 'I really would like to inspire as many women and young girls as I can. So I try to make as much content as I can, because that way I can reach as many people.' She added that social media helps her perform better by providing a break from constant focus on skating.
World record holder Femke Kok, who claimed 500m gold ahead of Leerdam, acknowledged her compatriot's influence. 'She's the social media queen. I'm not,' Kok said, laughing. 'I think she's doing great with her followers. She just shows how she is, and also promotes the sport.'
