Connecticut's Maxim Naumov Dedicates Olympic Figure Skating Debut to Late Parents

Naumov lost his parents, former figure skating champions, in a tragic plane crash last year.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Maxim Naumov, a figure skater from Simsbury, Connecticut, made his Olympic debut at the 2026 Winter Games in Milan, Italy. Naumov's parents, Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova, were killed in a plane crash near Washington, D.C. last year. Naumov paid tribute to his parents during his short program, displaying a photo of them on the arena's Jumbotron and earning an 85.65 score from the judges. Despite the tragedy, Naumov channeled his grief into a powerful performance that advanced him to the free skate round.

Why it matters

Naumov's story highlights the resilience of athletes who overcome personal tragedy to compete at the highest level. His dedication to honoring his parents' legacy through figure skating has inspired many, demonstrating the power of sport to help individuals cope with loss.

The details

Naumov, a graduate of Simsbury High School, had been following in his parents' footsteps as a figure skater. Vadim and Evgenia were former world champion pair skaters who had raised Naumov near the International Skating Center of Connecticut. After initially considering retirement following the loss of his parents, Naumov channeled his grief into a bronze-medal performance at the U.S. Championships, earning his spot on the Olympic team.

  • Naumov's parents, Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova, were killed in a plane crash near Washington, D.C. on January 29, 2025.
  • Naumov made his Olympic debut at the 2026 Winter Games in Milan, Italy on February 10, 2026.

The players

Maxim Naumov

A figure skater from Simsbury, Connecticut who made his Olympic debut at the 2026 Winter Games in Milan, Italy. Naumov lost both of his parents, former figure skating champions, in a tragic plane crash the previous year.

Vadim Naumov

Maxim Naumov's father, who was a former world champion pair skater.

Evgenia Shishkova

Maxim Naumov's mother, who was a former world champion pair skater.

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What they’re saying

“I tend to rush a lot. But this time, the ease and the smoothness of everything, the way I was setting up everything, I felt like someone was just guiding me alongside the ice. I definitely felt their presence.”

— Maxim Naumov (NBC Sports)

What’s next

Naumov will compete in the free skate round of the figure skating competition at the 2026 Winter Olympics on February 14, 2026.

The takeaway

Naumov's emotional performance and dedication to honoring his late parents' legacy has inspired many, demonstrating the power of sport to help individuals cope with profound loss and adversity.