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Wichita Today
By the People, for the People
American Figure Skater Honors Late Parents at Olympics
Maxim Naumov completes Olympic dream he shared with his parents, who tragically died in a plane crash.
Published on Feb. 13, 2026
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Maxim Naumov, a 24-year-old American figure skater, made his Olympic debut in the 2026 Winter Games, just over a year after his parents, Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, were killed in a plane crash. Naumov's emotional free skate performance, set to the song "In This Shirt" by The Irrepressibles, honored his parents' legacy as former world pairs champions and coaches. Though he fell twice during the program, the crowd gave him a standing ovation, including actor Jeff Goldblum. Naumov said he wanted to fulfill the Olympic dream he shared with his parents and turn the tragedy into a story of perseverance.
Why it matters
Naumov's story highlights the resilience and determination of an athlete who has overcome immense personal tragedy to pursue his Olympic dreams, which were also the dreams of his late parents. His performance resonated with the audience and demonstrated the power of sports to help people cope with loss and find purpose in the face of adversity.
The details
Naumov finished fourth at the national championships in Wichita, Kansas, last January before returning home to the Boston area, while his parents stayed behind to participate in a youth development camp. Tragically, their plane, American Airlines Flight 5342, crashed into a military helicopter on approach to Ronald Reagan National Airport, killing all 67 people on board. In the aftermath, Naumov struggled with basic tasks like getting out of bed, but he ultimately found purpose in skating and fulfilling the Olympic dream he had shared with his parents.
- Naumov finished fourth at the national championships in Wichita, Kansas, last January.
- Naumov's parents were killed in a plane crash on American Airlines Flight 5342 in early 2025.
The players
Maxim Naumov
A 24-year-old American figure skater making his Olympic debut, who is honoring the legacy of his late parents, Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, former world pairs champions and coaches.
Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov
Maxim Naumov's parents, who were world pairs champions and coaches, and tragically died in a plane crash in early 2025.
Ilia Malinin
An American teammate of Maxim Naumov who was competing for the gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Jeff Goldblum
An actor who attended Maxim Naumov's emotional free skate performance at the 2026 Winter Olympics, along with his wife, Emilie.
What they’re saying
“I hope I made everyone proud. I'm so thankful and grateful for my team that's been supporting me, from my friends to my family to my coaching staff and everybody. Just thank you, everyone.”
— Maxim Naumov
The takeaway
Maxim Naumov's story of perseverance and resilience in the face of unimaginable tragedy is a powerful testament to the human spirit. His determination to fulfill the Olympic dream he shared with his late parents has inspired the figure skating community and beyond, demonstrating the transformative power of sports to help people cope with loss and find purpose in the face of adversity.
