Leerdam has a dedicated following with more than five million followers on Instagram and millions more across other platforms.
She generally chooses to avoid traditional media and opts to speak from her own channels, bypassing attention and criticism from the Dutch press who closely cover the Olympic sport where they historically dominate.
Her profile expanded far beyond the speed skating oval in 2023 when she began a relationship with Paul, whose celebrity journey has taken him from YouTube personality to professional boxer. He was beaten by former heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua last year.
The couple maintain a long-distance relationship, with Paul in the USA and Leerdam training in the Netherlands.
He watched the race surrounded by the camera crew which documents virtually his entire life.
But Monday in Milan was about Leerdam, who said the weight of expectation pushed her to deliver a “surreal” triumph.
She led a Dutch one-two ahead of Femke Kok, securing the country’s first medals of these Games.
“This was really something that I was still missing,” Leerdam said. “So, it feels very complete. It feels surreal.”
