Sounds like iron is sharpening iron.
After false rumors that speed skating Olympic gold medalists Jordan Stolz and Jutta Leerdam had trained together, they made it a reality, per the Associated Press.
When asked about a made-up story surrounding the 2026 Games, the Dutchwoman Leerdam cited the rumor of her and Stolz’s session. Then, she dropped the bomb that she actually skated with the American phenom — but only after the false claims.
“Me training with Jordan Stolz. That wasn’t even a thing,” Leerdam said Sunday. “And then we were like, ‘Oh. We should maybe do that.’ So then we trained together.”
A conversation together while working out on stationary bikes turned into Leerdam skating behind Stolz. Leerdam added that it was “just a few laps,” but that “it ended up working pretty well.”
“He’s super good at skating. I understand his timing when you skate behind someone. It can always help,” Leerdam said of training with Stolz.
Leerdam has been a standout on the ice for the Netherlands thus far in Milan. She claimed a silver medal in the women’s 500 meter and gold in the 1,000. Leerdam’s fiancée, YouTuber and boxer Jake Paul, could be seen bawling in the stands after her 1,000-meter victory.
In both races, Leerdam was neck and neck with fellow Dutch teammate Femke Kok, who notched gold over Leerdam by 0.66 seconds in the 500. Leerdam’s silver medal is still an improvement from placing fifth in the event in 2022.
Stolz, similarly, has been sensational. He’s become one of the top up-and-coming stars for the United States, keeping it afloat in the standings amid disappointing showings from his fellow Americans.
The 21-year-old has outclassed Dutch competitor Jenning de Boo in the 500-meter and 1,000-meter races, snagging gold in both events. In the 1,000, his first race, he came from behind to edge de Boo, while he prevented the Dutchman from doing the same in the 500.
Both of Stolz’s times were Olympic records. His golds are two of the five Americans have collected at the 2026 Games, ranking fourth overall.
Stolz still has two events remaining — the 1,500 meter and mass start — where he can become just the fourth athlete ever to claim at least four golds in a single Winter Olympics.
“Going into the 1,500, I have a few days to relax before that. And right now, my speed and endurance feel really good,” Stolz said about his upcoming events. “So if I skate a clean race, it should be a good result.”
Maybe some time training with Leerdam will give him an extra boost, too.
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