Maxim Naumov Heading to Winter Olympics After Family Tragedy

Just a year after the devastating loss of his parents in a plane crash, figure skater Maxim Naumov is set to represent the United States at the upcoming Winter Olympics.

At 24 years old, Naumov has officially secured a spot on the U.S. Olympic team, which will compete in the Milan-Cortina Games starting February 6th. He is one of three athletes making up the figure skating team alongside Ilya Marinin and Andrew Tolgashev.

Tragically, Naumov’s parents, Evgenia “Zhenya” Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, both champions in pairs figure skating, lost their lives when an American Airlines jet collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter in Washington, D.C., on January 29, 2025.

This incident took a toll, resulting in the deaths of 67 individuals, including 28 figure skaters, all returning from a national development camp in Wichita, Kansas. Naumov had been in Wichita for the event but was not aboard the ill-fated flight.

Just days before his Olympic selection, Naumov performed in their memory at the U.S. Nationals, visibly emotional as he displayed a childhood photo of himself with his parents. “It was such a powerful moment. Sharing my vulnerability with the audience and feeling their energy was something I won’t forget,” he reflected after the performance.

His parents, who also served as his coaches, nurtured his talent as he aspired to become an Olympian. Following their passing, Naumov found himself uncertain about joining the Olympic team, but remained committed to the goals they once discussed together. “That still drives me,” he noted recently. “One of our last talks was about reaching this point. It’s what we were fighting for.”

Now, with the goal set, Naumov is looking forward to competing in Italy next month, hoping to earn a medal.