Figure Skater Maxim Naumov Earns Olympic Spot a Year After Tragic Crash

Naumov honors late parents, former figure skating champions, as he competes in the Olympics

Jan. 28, 2026 at 11:23am

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Maxim Naumov, a 24-year-old figure skater, has earned a spot on the U.S. Olympic team for the upcoming Winter Games in Milan Cortina. This comes just one year after a tragic plane crash claimed the lives of Naumov's parents, who were both former figure skating champions and coaches. Naumov is carrying on his parents' legacy as he competes in his first Olympics, honoring their memory and the many others in the figure skating community who were lost in the accident.

Why it matters

The plane crash that killed Naumov's parents and over two dozen other figure skaters, coaches, and their family members was a devastating tragedy that rocked the tight-knit figure skating world. Naumov's journey to the Olympics in the aftermath of this loss is an inspiring story of resilience and perseverance, as he aims to honor his parents' memory and the legacies of all those affected by the crash.

The details

Naumov's parents, Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, were former pairs world champions and coaches at the renowned Skating Club of Boston. They were among the 67 people killed when American Airlines Flight 5342 crashed into a military helicopter on approach to Ronald Reagan National Airport on January 29, 2025. Naumov had flown out earlier after finishing fourth at the national championships, while his parents were returning from a development camp with 11 skaters, 4 coaches, and several family members. In the aftermath, Naumov struggled to get out of bed or put on his skates, but eventually joined in organizing a benefit that raised over $1 million for the victims' families. One year later, Naumov delivered a career-best performance at the U.S. championships to earn a spot on the Olympic team, carrying on his parents' legacy.

  • Naumov finished fourth at the 2025 national championships shortly before the tragic plane crash.
  • The plane crash occurred on January 29, 2025.
  • Naumov finished third at the 2026 U.S. championships, earning a spot on the U.S. Olympic team for the Milan Cortina Olympics.

The players

Maxim Naumov

A 24-year-old figure skater who earned a spot on the U.S. Olympic team for the Milan Cortina Olympics, carrying on the legacy of his late parents who were former figure skating champions and coaches.

Evgenia Shishkova

Naumov's mother, who was a former pairs world champion and coach at the Skating Club of Boston.

Vadim Naumov

Naumov's father, who was a former pairs world champion and coach at the Skating Club of Boston.

Scott Hamilton

The 1984 Olympic figure skating champion who was devastated by the tragedy, saying "I've never been that sad. So many promising young skaters were just gone."

Ilia Malinin

The favorite to win Olympic gold in figure skating, who often trains with members of the Washington Figure Skating Club affected by the tragedy.

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What they’re saying

“It was devastating. I've never been that sad. So many promising young skaters were just gone.”

— Scott Hamilton, 1984 Olympic figure skating champion

“My heart was shattered thinking of those sweet, young souls.”

— Meryl Davis, Two-time ice dance world champion

“Whatever you need, I'm there. We had a really special heart to heart, all of us together.”

— Anthony Ponomarenko, Olympic ice dancer

What’s next

Naumov will compete in his first Winter Olympics next week in Milan Cortina, where he will be joined by fellow U.S. team members Ilia Malinin and Andrew Torgashev.

The takeaway

Naumov's journey to the Olympics in the wake of the tragic plane crash that claimed his parents' lives is an inspiring story of resilience, as he carries on his family's legacy and honors the memory of all those lost in the accident. His determination to succeed in the sport his parents loved serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring spirit of the figure skating community.