Controversy against Jutta Leerdam, criticism even from a colleague

Jutta Leerdam was harshly criticized before the start of the Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina because of her relationship with the press: the world-famous skater spoke only to Dutch public TV NOS before the competitions and the other broadcasters did not take it well at all. Johan Derksen, a very influential journalist, was particularly critical: “I think it&#8217s unacceptable that she doesn&#8217t talk to the press but at the same time she posts news her social media. If you represent the Netherlands you have an obligation to communicate with your supporters” he told Sportnieuws.

Jutta Leerdam’s colleague Joy Beune also expressed her concerns: “We are all obliged to do this. It seems strange to me that she doesn”t have to follow these rules, in my opinion she should have given herself more to the press but these are matters for her”. In recent weeks, criticism of Leerdam has been rife: she has often been the subject of comments questioning her focus on her image and private life over her sporting achievements despite her gold medal in the 1000 meters and silver medal in the 500 meters.

The strong Dutch skater decided to respond to the criticism and did so by posting a photo on Instagram of her with makeup smudged from tears of joy after winning the gold medal: “For me, this photo perfectly encapsulates everything my Olympics meant. This moment shows that you don’t have to give up on yourself to achieve something great. Your appearance does not define who you are, either as a person or as an athlete. If you work hard and stay determined, the results will come.”

“It’s almost ironic: my entire career I have been judged by my eyeliner and makeup. Yet it is precisely these things that have given me confidence, making me feel feminine and strong. The pressure, the judgments on so many different aspects, the years of sacrifice and hard work…it all came together in that instant. I never felt the need to prove anything to others.”