Jutta Leerdam's orange competition suit started at 11,400 USD before soaring to 170,000 GBP (nearly 230,000 USD) in just a few hours. This makes it the most expensive sports item ever traded on the MatchWornShirt platform. The previous record was Cristiano Ronaldo's jersey, worn during Portugal's match against Hungary in 2025, which sold for nearly 75,000 USD.

Jutta Leerdam's competition suit, worn when she won a gold medal at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, sold for a record price. Photo: Sun

The total proceeds from the auction items of the Dutch sports delegation at the 2026 Winter Olympics will be transferred to the clubs where the athletes began their careers as children. This initiative aims to provide significant support to grassroots sports development in the Netherlands.

Tijmen Zonderwijk, co-founder of MatchWornShirt, stated that a price of nearly 230,000 USD for a single item is extraordinary. According to him, the total funds raised from this year's Winter Olympics items will provide substantial support for many Dutch sports clubs, fostering future talent.

At IJsvereniging Pijnacker Club, where Leerdam trained in her youth, the management expressed excitement about this record-breaking auction. Chairman Johan van Dam committed that the club would carefully consider how to use this significant amount to benefit young athletes. Jacqueline van Winden, a member responsible for youth affairs, affirmed that the contribution is meaningful, helping more children experience speed skating and pursue their athletic dreams.

Jutta Leerdam competes and is emotional after finishing first in the women's 1,000m speed skating event at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics on 9/2. Photo: Reuters, Imago

Leerdam made a strong impression at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics by winning a gold medal in the 1,000 m event and breaking an Olympic record. Her image crying after the victory became one of the most memorable moments of the Games in Italy.

Leerdam, 27, has competed professionally in speed skating since 2018, winning one gold and two silver Olympic medals, along with five world championships. Australian newspaper Fox Sports called her the "'Ice Queen'," while Reuters news agency likened her to the "'Social Media Queen'."

Leerdam's public profile gained further attention when she publicized her relationship with YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in 2023. Paul's presence in the stands in Milan helped speed skating attract unprecedented attention, though it also sparked some non-sporting controversies.

Hong Duy (according to The Sun)