'Million-Dollar Sports Bra' Gold Medalist Faces Backlash After Flaunting $7,800 Luxury Bag... Why?

Reveals 4,950-euro Dolce & Gabbana Bag on TikTok
Some Fans Criticize: "Python Leather is Animal Cruelty"

Jutta Leerdam, the 27-year-old Dutch athlete who became a global star after winning gold in the women's 1000m speed skating at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, has found herself embroiled in an animal cruelty controversy after revealing a luxury handbag.

According to Dutch sports outlets, including Sportnieuws and Sportnieuws, on the 6th, Leerdam recently visited a Dolce & Gabbana store while vacationing in Italy with her fiancé Jake Paul and purchased a handbag.

Speed skating star Jutta Leerdam revealed a luxury handbag and became embroiled in an animal cruelty controversy. Reuters Yonhap News/TikTok capture of Jutta Leerdam

She later revealed the bag she bought on her TikTok account and shared an "unboxing" experience with her fans. In the video, Leerdam boasted, "It’s only been on the market for three days, and there were only three in the store. I got the last one," emphasizing her excitement over the purchase.

The product at the center of the controversy is the Dolce & Gabbana 'My Sicily' handbag. Foreign media reported that the bag is made of python leather and is priced at 4,950 euros (about 7.8 million won). Leerdam showcased the bag with her outfit in the video and expressed her satisfaction with its design.

However, after the video was posted, some fans voiced concerns about the material of the bag. One user commented, "Snakes are skinned alive to make these bags," and added, "People need to be aware that there is tremendous animal cruelty behind such beautiful products." Another user argued, "Such products should be banned," criticizing the use of snake skin solely for aesthetic purposes.

Reyrdam is celebrating by revealing her sports bra after winning the gold medal in the women's 1000m speed skating at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

On the other hand, some users praised the design of the bag, resulting in mixed opinions. As of now, Leerdam has not made any public statement regarding the controversy.

Leerdam first reached the top of the world stage at the 2017 World Junior Championships. She quickly progressed in the senior ranks, winning her first senior world championship gold medal in the team sprint at the 2019 World Championships, and in 2020 claimed her first individual world championship title in the women’s 1000m. She reinforced her dominance in the 1000m by clinching another gold medal in the same event in 2023.

After winning gold at this year's Winter Olympics, Leerdam gained global attention with her bold celebration. Immediately after her victory in the women’s 1000m, she lifted her uniform to reveal a Nike sports bra, and British outlet The Sun described it as a "million-dollar celebration."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.