Why Jake Paul is at the Olympics, and why he's not rooting for the U.S. in speed skating

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Jake Paul is at the Winter Olympics in Milan.

You might've already spotted the famous boxer and influencer on a broadcast. He was pictured earlier in the Games with U.S. Vice President, JD Vance.

On Monday, he'll almost certainly be at the speed skating track, but he won't be rooting for the United States.

Here's what you need to know.

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Why is Jake Paul at the Olympics?

Jake Paul is at the Olympics first and foremost because his fiancee, Jutta Leerdam, is an Olympian.

Leerdam is a speed skater from the Netherlands who is quite well-known herself, with more than five million followers on Instagram.

She's also a world-class athlete. She was the silver medalist in the 1000-meter event at the 2022 Beijing Olympics.

Leerdam, 27, is going for gold on Monday, when the 1000-meter finals of the 2026 Games are being held.

She will race later in the Games, too, but her best chance at climbing to the top of the podium will come Monday in the 1000.

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Paul will clearly be rooting for his betrothed.

He posted a picture on X on Monday in support of Leerdam:

Today is your day baby. You’ve worked your whole life for this. We all love and support you so much 💫⭐️ go get em champ pic.twitter.com/rQ1qBMdepK

— Jake Paul (@jakepaul) February 9, 2026

Even in that photograph, Paul is rocking the American flag on his sleeve.

There are two U.S. competitors for Paul to cheer on, too, in Erin Jackson and Brittany Bowe.

But then it'll be Leerdam in the final race of the entire competition, and Paul will surely be cheering loud and clear.