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Maxim Naumov Delivers Emotional Olympic Debut, Honors Late Parents
Milan, Italy – United States figure skater Maxim Naumov made a poignant Olympic debut on Tuesday, captivating the Milano Ice Skating Arena with an emotional performance dedicated to his late parents, who tragically died in a plane crash last year.
The 24-year-old skater, whose parents Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov were former pairs world champions, was one of 67 victims in a devastating mid-air collision between a military helicopter and American Airlines Flight 5342 in Washington D.C. in January 2025. Naumov was on an earlier flight at the time of the incident, which also claimed the lives of other U.S. figure skaters, coaches, and family members returning from a developmental camp.
Despite being considered a long shot to place in the top ten, Naumov delivered a powerful program that earned him a full standing ovation. As he looked skyward, he reportedly uttered, “Look at what we’ve done,” a sentiment that resonated deeply with the audience.
“I didn’t know if I was going to cry, smile or laugh,” Naumov stated after his short program, which scored 85.65, securing him 12th place and qualification for the next round. Skating to “Nocturne No. 20,” Naumov expressed immense satisfaction with his performance, believing his parents were with him in spirit.
“I’ve been inspired by them since day one, ever since we stepped on the ice together,” Naumov shared, visibly emotional in the kiss-and-cry zone as he held an old photograph of himself on the ice with his parents.
Just three days prior to his Olympic team selection, Naumov delivered an equally moving tribute at the U.S. Championships, where he held up the same cherished photograph of himself as a three-year-old with his parents.
“Sharing the vulnerability with the audience and me feeling their energy back has been something I remember for the rest of my life,” he told reporters. “It’s what my parents and I – one of our last conversations was about exactly that, and you know, it would mean the world to me to do that.
That’s what we’re fighting for.”
Before taking the ice, Naumov emphasized that his focus wasn’t on technical perfection, but rather on giving his absolute best. “I wasn’t thinking about executing anything perfectly or anything like that.
I wanted to go out there and just give my heart out. Leave everything out there.
Have no regrets. And that’s exactly what I felt,” he explained.
Naumov is scheduled to compete again in the men’s free skate on Friday night.