Social media personality and professional boxer Jake Paul drew international attention this week after appearing in the stands to support his fiancée, Dutch speedskater Jutta Leerdam, during the women’s 500‑meter event at the Winter Olympics in Italy. The moment was reported by KGW, which noted Paul’s visible support as Leerdam competed.

While the celebrity storyline centers on a global athletic stage far from southwest Washington, the Olympics remain one of the largest shared broadcast events in the region. Local households routinely generate some of the strongest viewership numbers for major televised sports, and Cowlitz County residents have historically followed Pacific Northwest‑focused Olympic reporting from Portland‑based outlets.

The relationship between Paul, a high‑profile figure in boxing and online entertainment, and Leerdam, a world‑class speedskater with multiple international medals, has been publicly acknowledged by both on verified social media accounts. Their appearance at the Milan‑Cortina Games continues a pattern of crossover interest between mainstream sports, influencer culture, and Olympic competition.

As of Feb. 15, 2026, no direct connections tie either athlete to Longview, Kelso, or broader Cowlitz County, but the Olympics’ broad regional appeal means stories like these often enter local conversation—particularly when broadcast coverage highlights Northwest-based outlets reporting from the Games.

For residents tracking winter sports or following the Games through Portland media, Leerdam’s performance and Paul’s public appearance are part of the wider Olympic narrative unfolding this month.

Why this matters

Large-scale events such as the Winter Olympics regularly shape regional media consumption, influence sports participation trends, and provide shared cultural touchpoints across southwest Washington. Even national or international storylines—when amplified by Portland outlets—can help define what local viewers discuss, follow, and debate during the Games.