Overview
- Leerdam watched the San Siro opening ceremony from her accommodation and shared an Instagram story of the Netherlands delegation instead of marching with teammates.
- Her separate trip to Italy on a personalized private jet, which she posted on Instagram, drew criticism from Dutch pundit Johan Derksen, who labeled the behavior that of a 'diva.'
- She is officially entered in the 1,000 meters on Monday at 11:30 a.m. ET and the 500 meters on Feb. 15 at 11:03 a.m. ET, according to event schedules.
- After falling in the 1,000-meter qualifier, the KNSB awarded her the remaining spot in that event, confirming her participation in both the 1,000 and 500 without displacing another Dutch skater.
- A 2022 Olympic silver medalist and multiple world champion, Leerdam is regarded as a medal threat in both sprints; fiancé Jake Paul is in Milan and is expected to attend her races, per the Associated Press.