Jutta Leerdam changes her look and becomes a Knight of the Order of Orange-Nassau

On Tuesday, Dutch medalists experienced an out-of-the ordinary day during which the splendid achievements at the Winter Olympic Games in Milan Cortina 2026 by the Oranje representative team were celebrated. Speed skaters and short track specialists who returned home from Italy with a medal around their necks were officially celebrated, with Prime Minister Rob Jetten also in attendance. For some of the athletes who rose to prominence, including Jutta Leerdam, who is increasingly a media phenomenon in addition to being a great champion, special recognition also came.

For the Netherlands, what just went into the archives was a memorable edition: twenty medals in total, ten of them gold. Taking the top step on the podium were Jutta Leerdam, Femke Kok, Jorrit Bergsma, Marijke Groenewoud, Antoinette Rijpma-de Jong, Jens van ‘t Wout, Melle van ‘t Wout, Teun de Boer, Friso Emons, and Itzhak de Laat.

The Netherlands was the most successful country in the world.

After the sporting successes, there was an additional solemn moment for many of them. The Minister for Long-Term Care, Youth and Sports, Mirjam Sterk, honored the winners of the most precious metal. Leerdam, Kok, Groenewoud, Rijpma-de Jong, the Van ‘t Wout brothers, Emons, De Boer, and De Laat were awarded the title of Knights of the Order of Orange-Nassau, a decoration reserved for those who distinguish themselves for special merits toward society.

Aldo Seghedoni

Leerdam was the first to receive the award. On stage at the Glazen Zaal in The Hague, she said she was excited and grateful: for her, an Olympic champion in the 1,000 meters, this is a special honor, as she was quick to point out.