Canadian Speedskater Ivanie Blondin Jokes About Mortgage Relief Through Race Suit Sale
Olympic champion Ivanie Blondin may have secured gold and silver medals at the 2026 Winter Games in Milano-Cortina, but the Canadian speedskating star recently highlighted the financial realities many athletes face. After learning that Dutch rival Jutta Leerdam's race suit sold for an astonishing US$230,441 in an online auction, Blondin took to social media with a lighthearted proposal.
Social Media Quip Goes Viral
"Damn, does anyone want to buy mine for half that so I can pay for my mortgage?" Blondin wrote on X, responding to a Toronto Sun story about the remarkable auction result. The Canadian athlete's humorous post quickly gained traction, drawing attention to the substantial value placed on Olympic memorabilia and the economic challenges even successful Olympians encounter.
The auction that inspired Blondin's comment featured the distinctive orange Team Netherlands suit worn by Leerdam during her gold-medal performance in the 1,000-meter event and silver-medal finish in the 500-meter race. What began as relatively modest bidding around $10,000 transformed dramatically in the final minutes before the Saturday morning deadline, with two determined bidders driving the price into six figures within moments.
Leerdam's Viral Moment and Potential Windfall
Leerdam, who is engaged to YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, captured global attention during the Winter Games not only for her athletic achievements but for a memorable celebration. After winning her first Olympic gold, the 27-year-old Dutch speedskater unzipped her uniform to reveal a Nike sports bra, creating an instantly viral moment that was subsequently featured on Nike's official Instagram account with nearly 300 million followers.
According to advertising expert Frederique de Laat, founder of Branthlete marketing agency, this exposure could translate to significant financial compensation for Leerdam through her brand partnership. "With Nike, I suspect you're looking at a figure of over a million," de Laat told Dutch news outlet AD, suggesting the viral celebration might prove exceptionally lucrative beyond the auction proceeds.
Blondin's Own Olympic Success and Canadian Celebration
While contemplating her own potential auction, Blondin celebrated her own memorable Olympic achievements. The 35-year-old Ottawa native requested and received Shania Twain's "Man! I Feel Like a Woman!" played in the Milano Speed Skating Stadium after winning gold with teammates Isabelle Weidemann and Valerie Maltais in the women's long-track team pursuit. This victory came against Leerdam's Dutch teammates in the final event.
"I'd love to meet her one day," Blondin said of Twain after her golden moment. "Just putting that out there!" The Canadian speedskater also secured a silver medal in the mass start event, bringing her career Olympic medal total to four, including gold and silver from the 2022 Beijing Games.
Auction Proceeds and Market Realities
It's important to note that athletes like Leerdam don't personally profit from these memorabilia auctions. The substantial $230,441 generated from her race suit sale will benefit the local clubs where Dutch athletes began their careers, supporting future generations of speedskaters.
The auction results revealed significant disparities in market value among Olympic memorabilia. While Leerdam's suit commanded a remarkable six-figure sum, race suits worn by her Dutch teammates Femke Kok, Antoinette Rijpma-De-Jong, and Merel Conjin sold for just fractions of that amount. Kok's tights represented the next most expensive item in the grouping at $5,675.
Should Blondin decide to auction her own Olympic race suit, its potential value remains uncertain. The Canadian's outfit carries the distinction of being worn during gold and silver medal performances, but market dynamics for memorabilia can be unpredictable, influenced by factors including athlete popularity, memorable moments, and collector interest.
The contrast between Leerdam's auction result and Blondin's mortgage comment highlights the complex relationship between Olympic glory and financial stability for many world-class athletes. While the international spotlight shines brightly during competition, the economic realities facing competitors often persist long after the medals have been awarded and the celebrations concluded.
