Maxim Naumov's Olympic Dream: Honouring Parents Lost in Skating Tragedy
Maxim Naumov sat in quiet contemplation deep within the Enterprise Center, deliberately removed from the bustling arena crowd, the intrusive gaze of television cameras, and the countless well-wishers who had supported him throughout a tumultuous year. The American figure skater focused intently on a cherished photograph, a snapshot from his childhood showing him alongside his parents, the former pairs world champions Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov.
This poignant image, taken when Naumov was approximately three years old and first finding his footing on the ice, had been preserved in a family album stored above the refrigerator in his Connecticut home. It now serves as a powerful touchstone for an athlete carrying an immense emotional weight to the highest stage in sport.
A Community Shattered by Tragedy
Naumov's parents, who coached at the prestigious Skating Club of Boston, were among the 67 individuals tragically killed when American Airlines Flight 5342 collided with a military helicopter on approach to Ronald Reagan National Airport on January 29, 2025. The aircraft plunged into the icy waters of the Potomac River. The devastating crash claimed the lives of more than two dozen members of the close-knit figure skating community.
The flight was carrying eleven skaters, four coaches, and several family members returning from a development camp in Wichita, Kansas, following the national championships. Naumov himself had departed earlier, shortly after securing a fourth-place finish at that event.
"Once a week I try to have that space with them, in whatever capacity that might be," Naumov revealed, after his third-place finish at this year's U.S. championships secured his spot on the Olympic team for Milan Cortina. "It could be a photo, talking to someone about them. It could be anything. It's been therapeutic in a way."
Carrying Collective Hopes to the Games
One year on, Naumov embodies the hopes and dreams of all those affected by the catastrophe as he prepares for the Olympics. The skating world continues to grapple with a tragedy that resonated from legendary champions like Tenley Albright to the youngest beginners, all united in their memory of where they were when the news broke.
"It was devastating. I've never been that sad," said 1984 Olympic champion Scott Hamilton. "So many promising young skaters were just gone." The victims, aged from 11 to 16, represented clubs across the eastern seaboard, from the historic Boston club to the Washington Figure Skating Club, located mere minutes from the crash site.
Two-time ice dance world champion Meryl Davis expressed the collective heartbreak: "My heart was shattered thinking of those sweet, young souls." For the families involved, time seemed to halt as they awaited answers from the National Transportation Safety Board, which soon confirmed there would be no survivors.
Navigating Grief and Finding Purpose
Naumov recalls the overwhelming emotional toll of the initial 24 hours, supported by close friends including fellow Olympian Spencer Howe. "When all that stuff was going down, I was right there with him in Washington," Howe remembered. "We were getting updates and just trying to figure out what was going on. We just tried to do whatever we could."
In the difficult weeks that followed, even basic tasks felt insurmountable for Naumov. "I just wanted to rot, basically," he admitted, though he knew surrender was not an option. Instead, the 24-year-old channelled his energy into organising a Washington benefit named "Legacy on Ice," honouring both the victims and the emergency responders.
The star-studded event featured moving performances, including one by 13-year-old Isabella Aparicio, who lost her brother and father. It raised over $1 million for the affected families, demonstrating the community's resilience. "I was proud to see the way people came together as a family," remarked three-time world champion Ilia Malinin.
A Legacy Forged in Performance
One of Naumov's final conversations with his parents occurred after his fourth-place finish at the 2025 nationals, just hours before they boarded the fateful flight. They discussed the path he would need to follow to achieve his own Olympic dream.
At this year's U.S. championships, Naumov transformed that plan into reality. Rising from his solitary chair, he stored the photograph of his parents—only for it to reappear minutes later in the kiss-and-cry area—and delivered a career-defining performance. His podium finish alongside Ilia Malinin and Andrew Torgashev earned him a coveted place on the powerhouse U.S. Olympic team.
"I just thought, 'Look at what we've done. All the sacrifices we made. Everything we've been through,'" Naumov reflected.
Tangible Memories on the Olympic Journey
Naumov carries physical reminders of his parents: a simple gold chain with a cross from his baptism day, and a white gold ring with a single diamond, once worn by his father and passed down years ago. These items will accompany him to Italy.
His journey transcends personal ambition, becoming a narrative of resilience and shared memory. "I mean, there's parts of life that are difficult, you know?" Naumov said. "But I think within those difficult times and moments of talking about this story, it's still such a privilege to share. My intention is to share it as much as possible, because not only do my parents deserve all the praise and recognition, but also to inspire other athletes, or people in general, to know that there is a way. No matter what, there is a way."
