Leerdam and Kok Dominate Women’s 1000m on Olympic Speed Skating Day 3
Jutta Leerdam from the Netherlands delivered an impressive performance in the women’s 1000m event at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. She not only secured the gold medal but also broke the Olympic record with a time of 1 minute, 12.31 seconds. This remarkable feat marked the fourth Olympic record set during the competition, which has featured three races so far in Milan.
Leerdam’s Remarkable Journey
Leerdam, a two-time world champion and three-time European champion in the 1000m distance, had previously claimed silver at the 2022 Beijing Games. Her reaction to the victory reflected a mix of exhaustion and disbelief. “I couldn’t believe it, but I was also so tired,” she explained. “It was hard to feel something.”
Kok’s Strong Performance
Teammate Femke Kok also excelled in the event, clocking in at 1:12.59. Her performance also surpassed the previous Olympic record held by Japan’s Miho Takagi. Kok expressed her satisfaction, saying, “I gave it my all. It’s a little bummer that it wasn’t quite enough for gold, but Jutta was amazing.” The enthusiastic crowd played a significant role in energizing her during the race.
Consistency and Dominance in 1000m
Kok had a stellar season, making the podium in all five 1000m races on the World Cup circuit and clinching the overall title for the 2025-26 campaign. Although she is known for her 1000m prowess, Kok’s specialization lies in the 500m, where she holds the world record and has maintained an unbeaten streak for two years.
Race Analysis
- Opening 200m performance: Kok at 17.4 seconds
- Leerdam’s opening 200m: 17.6 seconds
- Leerdam’s second lap: 26.5 seconds
- Leerdam’s third lap: 28.6 seconds
Despite starting slower, Leerdam quickly recovered, showcasing her exceptional speed in the latter laps. “I knew that if during the race I would feel tired, I wasn’t allowed to feel tired,” Leerdam noted. She emphasized the importance of pushing through discomfort in pursuit of victory.
Statistical Highlights
The Netherlands’ dominance in Olympic speed skating continues, as they have reached the podium in six of the last seven Olympic 1000m competitions. Interestingly, prior to Leerdam and Kok’s medals, the Dutch were yet to earn any medals at the 2026 Winter Games.
In summary, the performances of Leerdam and Kok underscore the Netherlands’ longstanding tradition of excellence in speed skating, particularly in the women’s 1000m event.
