The racing suit worn by Dutch speed skating sensation Jutta Leerdam during her historic performances at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games has been sold for a staggering sum in an online auction. The bright orange outfit, which Leerdam donned while winning gold in the 1,000-metre event and silver in the 500-metre competition, fetched an impressive US$230,441 from a determined bidder.
Frenzied Bidding Drives Price Skyward
Bidding for the iconic race suit took place over the course of a week on the Match Worn Shirts website. Initially, the price hovered around the $10,000 mark for several days. However, as the auction deadline approached at 9 a.m. on Saturday morning, the competition intensified dramatically. In a matter of minutes, two rival bidders engaged in a fierce battle, rapidly driving the price into six figures before the virtual gavel finally came down.
Memorabilia from a Viral Moment
The 27-year-old athlete captured global attention during the Milano-Cortina Games not only for her athletic prowess but also for a memorable celebration. After securing her first Olympic gold medal and breaking the Olympic record in the 1,000-metre race, Leerdam unzipped the front of her uniform to reveal a Nike sports bra as she cooled down. This spontaneous moment was captured in a photograph that Nike subsequently shared on their official Instagram account, which boasts nearly 300 million followers.
According to advertising expert Frederique de Laat, founder of the marketing agency Branthlete, this viral exposure could potentially earn Leerdam more than $1 million through her brand partnership with Nike. De Laat specializes in female athlete advertising and suggested that such high-profile visibility represents significant commercial value.
Team Memorabilia Auction Benefits Local Clubs
Leerdam's race suit was just one of several pieces of memorabilia put up for auction by the Dutch women's speed skating team. Other items included suits worn by fellow medalists Femke Kok, Antoinette Rijpma-De-Jong, and Merel Conjin. However, Leerdam's outfit far surpassed the others in value. Kok's racing tights were the next most expensive item, selling for $5,675, while Leerdam's signed headband fetched $1,797.
Importantly, the athletes themselves will not personally profit from these auctions. All proceeds are being directed to the local clubs where these champion skaters began their athletic journeys, supporting the next generation of speed skating talent in the Netherlands.
Additional Olympic Memorabilia Sales
In a separate auction, Dutch speed skater Jens van 't Wout sold the jacket he wore during the opening ceremonies for $3,500. The race suit sold over the weekend had been on display at the Staatsloterij TeamNL House in Milan during the Olympic Games and was signed by Leerdam herself.
Reflections on an Olympic Journey
Following her successful Olympic campaign, Leerdam took to Instagram to reflect on her journey to the Winter Games. She expressed gratitude for the support system that helped her achieve her dreams. "Before I started this journey, I already won in life by having the most amazing people around me," she wrote.
The athlete specifically acknowledged the difficult decision she made two years earlier to build her own training team, carefully selecting experts in their fields who brought positive energy to her preparation. She thanked her coaches, trainers, teammates, and family for their unwavering support throughout the process.
Tribute to Fiancé Jake Paul
Leerdam also paid tribute to her fiancé, YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, writing: "Thank you to my fiancé for being there for me, for listening to me talk about this sport you didn't even know before we met, every single day. For letting me be me and supporting me along this journey. The loving man you are. I love you Jake."
In her concluding remarks, Leerdam expressed fulfillment at having achieved her Olympic dreams. "I'm ending the season on a high. Becoming Olympic Champion completes my list of dreams. I feel very fulfilled," she wrote. "Let this journey called life continue & make the next chapter even more beautiful. I hope you're all enjoying the ride."
The sale of Leerdam's race suit represents not just a transaction for a piece of sports memorabilia, but a testament to the enduring appeal of Olympic achievement and the market value of authentic artifacts from historic sporting moments. As one of the standout stars of the 2026 Winter Games, Leerdam's equipment has now secured its place in both sporting history and the collectibles market.
