Jutta Leerdam and Jordan Stolz turn an Olympic rumor into reality by skating together

MILAN (AP) — Olympic speedskating champions Jutta Leerdam and Jordan Stolz heard a rumor — one that was false at the time — that they had trained together. At first, they just joked about it. And then they decided to go and skate some laps with each other, just for fun.

After getting a silver medal in the women's 500 meters at the Milan Cortina Winter Games on Sunday to go alongside her earlier gold in the 1,000, Leerdam was asked about all of the noise around her, which includes extra attention because of her fiancé, YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul.

“It's not easy, especially with the media and stuff, because they want stories. And if they don’t have stories, they make up stories. Sorry. Not everyone. So that is sometimes hard to deal with as an athlete if you just want to focus on skating fast,” said Leerdam, who is from the Netherlands. “That is something I hope maybe changes for future, other athletes, because it’s kind of hard to deal. But for me, I’m very good at dealing with it. Because just push it aside and focus on what I can do, which is skate fast.”

Then she was asked for an example of a made-up story during these Winter Olympics.

“Me training with Jordan Stolz. That wasn’t even a thing,” Leerdam said. “And then we were like, ‘Oh. We should maybe do that.’ So then we trained together.”

She said they discussed it while riding adjacent stationary bikes last week in Milan.

“We were like, ’Well, maybe I should do some laps behind you.' He was like, ‘Perfect. Fine,’” recounted Leerdam, who has millions of followers on social media.

So they got on the ice for some practice, with her trailing Stolz around the rink. The American has won gold medals in the men's 500 and 1,000 so far, and has two more events left at these Games.

“He’s super good at skating. I understand his timing when you skate behind someone. It can always help,” Leerdam said. “But my timing was already pretty set. And it was just for a few laps. It was just interesting that it was all made up — and it ended up working pretty well.”

Asked whether the people in her inner circle can handle the attention as well as she can, Leerdam said with a smile: “My parents and everyone is kind of used to it. My fiancé is definitely used to it. He loves it. He will use it for a good cause.”

AP Winter Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics

Jutta Leerdam of the Netherlands took a silver medal in the women's 500 meters speedskating race at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Jake Paul of the U.S. screams as his fiancée Jutta Leerdam of the Netherlands celebrates with her silver medal on the podium of the women's 500 meters speedskating race at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)

Gold medallist Jordan Stolz of the U.S. celebrates after the men's 500 meters speedskating race at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Jutta Leerdam of the Netherlands took a silver medal in the women's 500 meters speedskating race at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

LONDON (AP) — Arsenal enjoyed a 4-0 rout of Wigan as five Premier League teams avoided upsets to reach the fifth round of the FA Cup on Sunday.

Third-tier struggler Wigan was overwhelmed against the Premier League leader in front of a 60,000 crowd at Emirates Stadium, with all the goals coming in the first half.

Forwards Noni Madueke, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus were on the scoresheet along with Jack Hunt's own-goal as he tried to cut out a cross from Bukayo Saka.

Big-money summer signing Eberechi Eze set up two goals for Arsenal, which won the last of its record 14 FA Cups in 2020. Wigan won the FA Cup for the first and only time in 2013, beating Manchester City 1-0 in the final, but was relegated from the Premier League in the same season.

Premier League teams Fulham, Leeds, Sunderland and Wolverhampton joined the Gunners in the last 16.

Fulham rallied to win 2-1 at second-tier Stoke, with Harrison Reed slotting in a late winner after intercepting Stoke goalkeeper Tommy Simkin’s misjudged pass. Brazilian winger Kevin equalized for Fulham early in the second half after South Korean midfielder Bae Jun-ho's early goal for Stoke.

Midfielder Habib Diarra's penalty earned Sunderland a 1-0 win at second-tier struggler Oxford, and midfielder Santiago Bueno's goal gave Wolves a 1-0 victory at fourth-tier Grimsby at a soggy and rain-soaked Blundell Park.

Leeds needed penalty kicks to win at second-tier Birmingham after a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes and extra time.

German forward Lukas Nmecha put Leeds ahead early in the second half after being set up by Noah Okafor, but Patrick Roberts equalized in the 89th minute with a powerful shot.

In the shootout, Leeds goalkeeper Lucas Perri denied Tommy Doyle before Roberts blazed over, leaving Sean Longstaff to score and send Daniel Farke's side through 4-2.

On Saturday, third-tier Mansfield pulled off an upset by knocking out Premier League Burnley to heap more pressure on coach Scott Parker.

Non-league Macclesfield caused arguably the biggest upset in the competition's history when it beat titleholder Crystal Palace in the third round last month.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Arsenal's Noni Madueke and Arsenal's Bukayo Saka celebrate scoring their side's first goal during the English FA Cup soccer match between Arsenal and Wigan Athletic in London, Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026.(AP Photo/Maja Smiejkowska)

Arsenal's Gabriel Martinelli, center, celebrates with teammates after scoring their side's second goal during the English FA Cup soccer match between Arsenal and Wigan Athletic in London, Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026.(AP Photo/Maja Smiejkowska)

Stoke City's Bae Jun-Ho, centre, celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the English FA Cup fourth round match between Stoke City and Fulham, in Stoke, England, Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026. (Nick Potts/PA via AP)

Leeds United players celebrate after winning the penalty shoot out at the end of the Emirates FA Cup fourth round match between Leeds United and Bimingham City, in Birmingham, England, Sunday Feb. 15, 2026. (Jacob King/PA via AP)

Leeds United goalkeeper Lucas Perri saves the penalty of Birmingham City's Tommy Doyle, not pictured, during the penalty shoot out at the end of the Emirates FA Cup fourth round match between Leeds United and Bimingham City, in Birmingham, England, Sunday Feb. 15, 2026. (Jacob King/PA via AP)

Sunderland's Habib Diarra scores their side's first goal during the English FA Cup fourth round match between Oxford United and Sunderland, in Oxford, England, Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026. (Adam Davy/PA via AP)

Fulham's Harrison Reed celebrates after scoring his sides second goal during the English FA Cup fourth round match between Stoke City and Fulham, in Stoke, England, Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026. (Nick Potts/PA via AP)