U.S. figure skater Maxim Naumov made waves at the Milan Cortina Games by honoring his late parents during his short program. He delivered a heartfelt performance, one that echoed the dreams they all shared.
Naumov’s parents, Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, were world champions in pairs skating. Tragically, they lost their lives in a plane crash on January 29, 2025, along with 67 others, many of whom were part of the skating community. This loss was profound for Maxim, who recalled his last conversation with them about achieving Olympic dreams.
“I’ve been inspired by them since day one,” he said. He carried an old photograph of that moment — his first time on the ice, between his smiling parents. This image encapsulated the love and legacy they left behind.
During his performance, Naumov executed a quad salchow, a triple axel, and a triple lutz-triple toe loop, impressing both the audience and himself. As the final notes of Chopin’s “Nocturne No. 20” filled the arena, he kneeled, looking upward, filled with emotion. “Look at what we’ve done,” he said to his parents.
He scored 85.65, allowing him to progress to the men’s free skate on Friday. His journey to this point hasn’t been easy. After their tragic loss, Maxim fought to maintain a positive mindset, finding solace in skating. “Skating became a tool that helped me overcome,” he noted.
His parents coached at the Skating Club of Boston, which faced significant loss during the crash. Their legacy lives on through Naumov, who has taken on the responsibility of continuing their dream. This year marks the first time since 2014 that athletes from the club have competed at the Olympics, including pair skaters Emily Chan and Spencer Akira Howe.
Fans rallied behind Naumov at the arena, waving flags and cheering as he took the ice. “The energy was a buzz,” Naumov shared. His performance was about more than competition; it was a tribute to his family and the community that raised him.
In this moment, Maxim Naumov reminds us all what it means to rise above adversity, carrying love and memories into every leap. His story is a powerful testament to resilience, proving that in skating and life, passion can fuel success.
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Figure Skating, Plane Crash, Olympics, Italy
