Figure Skater Maxim Naumov Competes at Olympics After Tragic Loss

Skating Club of Boston rallies behind 24-year-old Olympian after his parents' death.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Maxim Naumov, a 24-year-old figure skater from the Skating Club of Boston, competed at the Milan Cortina Olympics just a year after losing his parents, Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, in a plane crash. Despite the tragedy, Naumov pushed forward to earn a spot on Team USA and compete on the Olympic stage, where he was cheered on by a watch party of supporters back home.

Why it matters

Naumov's story highlights the power of resilience and the importance of community support for athletes navigating unimaginable personal challenges. His Olympic debut showcases the human side of elite sports, where mistakes are met with empathy rather than harsh criticism.

The details

In his Olympic free skate, Naumov had some mistakes but continued to skate with determination. His teammate, Ilia Malinin, also struggled during his skate. While Naumov ultimately placed 20th, the Skating Club of Boston community remained unwavering in their support, planning to celebrate his accomplishments upon his return home.

  • Naumov's parents were killed in a plane crash over Washington, D.C. last year.
  • Naumov competed in the men's single free skate final at the Milan Cortina Olympics on February 14, 2026.

The players

Maxim Naumov

A 24-year-old figure skater who competed for Team USA at the Milan Cortina Olympics, just a year after losing his parents in a tragic plane crash.

Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov

Maxim Naumov's parents, who were longtime coaches at the Skating Club of Boston and were killed in a plane crash over Washington, D.C. last year.

Jimmy Ma

A professional figure skater at the Skating Club of Boston who has supported Naumov through the past year.

Scottie Shu

A fellow skater at the Skating Club of Boston who was inspired by Naumov's performance and dedication.

Nancy Kerrigan

An Olympic figure skating legend who empathized with Naumov's experience on the ice.

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What they’re saying

“What everybody puts out there is very awe-inspiring, right? Mistake or not.”

— Jimmy Ma, Professional figure skater at the Skating Club of Boston

“Respect them as humans — they are humans, all of them. So give them their space, think about what you're going to put online, cause believe it or not, we do see it.”

— Jimmy Ma, Professional figure skater at the Skating Club of Boston

“The people in the Olympics, I know how much the sport means to them, and the anticipation of if they do well or not, especially cause they care about it.”

— Scottie Shu, Skating Club of Boston skater

“I felt for him, cause I've had those moments. He's really shown us that he didn't give up, he kept going, and now, he's an Olympian, and he's got a lot to be proud of.”

— Nancy Kerrigan

“Of course there were some mistakes, but you know, life's going to throw some stuff at you, and you're not going to be able to be perfect, but you move your feet forward, you continue, and you still give it your all, no matter what.”

— Maxim Naumov, Olympic figure skater (NBC10 Boston)

What’s next

Naumov plans to rest once he returns home, and many believe he has another Olympic opportunity ahead of him given his resilience and talent.

The takeaway

Maxim Naumov's story at the Milan Cortina Olympics showcases the human side of elite sports, where personal tragedies are met with empathy and community support. His performance, despite mistakes, inspired others and demonstrated the power of perseverance in the face of unimaginable challenges.