Leerdam’s road to Olympic gold has been defined by steady progress and determination. After claiming silver at the 2022 Beijing Winter Games, she continued building momentum with strong results in European championships and World Cup events, entering this Olympics as a top favorite.

Following the race, Paul shared his excitement online, praising Leerdam’s dedication and calling it one of the proudest moments of his life. While their relationship has drawn public attention, Leerdam’s triumph ultimately reflected years of discipline, hard work, and focus—culminating in a defining Olympic milestone and one of the greatest achievements of her career.