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One year after a devastating plane crash claimed the lives of his parents and dozens of others in the figure skating world, Maxim Naumov has secured his place in the figure skating world. American Milan Cortina Olympic Team.
The 24-year-old skater, who recently finished third at the U.S. Championships, is carrying the heavy burden of personal loss while also carrying the hopes of a sport still reeling from tragedy.
Naumov’s parents, former doubles world champions Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, were among the 67 people killed. American Airlines On January 29, 2025, Flight 5342 struck a military helicopter and crashed into freezing ice while en route to Ronald Reagan National Airport. potomac river.
His parents were coaches of a famous skating club bostonreturned from a development camp in Wichita, Kansas, along with 11 other skaters, four coaches and several family members. Naumov himself had flown away earlier and had just finished fourth at the national championships.
In quiet moments away from the public eye, Naumov found solace in a photo of himself standing on the ice with his parents when he was three years old.
“Once a week, I try to have that space with them, in whatever capacity,” he shared. “It could be a picture, talking to someone about them. It could be anything. It’s therapeutic in a way.”
The accident sent shockwaves through the tight-knit figure skating community. “It’s just devastating. I’ve never been so sad,” said 1984 Olympic champion Scott Hamilton. “So many promising young skaters just disappeared.”
Meryl Davis, a two-time ice dance world champion, added: “My heart breaks thinking about those lovely, young souls.” The victims, some as young as 11, came from clubs along the eastern seaboard and had their Olympic dreams dashed.
The aftermath is a blur of sadness and uncertainty. Naumov’s close friend and future Olympic teammate Spencer Howe was with him in Washington.
“When all of this happened,” Howe recalled, “I was with him in Washington. We were getting updates and just trying to figure out what was going on and what the status of the situation was. We were just doing the best we could.” It soon became apparent that there were no survivors.
In the weeks after the accident, Naumov admitted, “I basically just wanted to rot,” finding even simple tasks impossible.
However, he turned his grief into action, helping organize “Legacy on Ice,” a charity event in Washington that honors victims and first responders.
The event featured emotional performances, including one from 13-year-old Isabella Aparicio, whose brother and father were killed, raising more than $1 million for the families affected.
“I’m proud to see people coming together like a family,” said three-time world champion Ilia Malinin.
Weeks later, at the world championships in Boston, the victims were named in heartfelt tributes and given a moving musical performance that left many in tears.
Anthony Ponomarenko, who is about to make his Olympic debut, said of the bond of community: “We all have the same bond, this unspoken overall connection. I told Max, ‘Whatever you need, I’m there.'” We all came together and had a very special heart-to-heart. “
Just hours before they boarded the ill-fated flight, Naumov’s last conversation with his parents was about his path to the Olympics.
A year later, he put their plan into action. After his qualifying performance, he reflected: “Look at everything we’ve done. All the sacrifices we’ve made. Everything we’ve been through.”
He wore a gold cross, a baptismal gift and his father’s platinum ring – tangible reminders that would accompany him to Italy.
“There are always difficulties in life, you know?” Naumov said. “But I think it’s still a privilege to talk about this story, to share it, during those difficult times and moments.
“My intention is to share it as much as possible because not only do my parents deserve all the praise and recognition and I wouldn’t be here without them, but also to inspire other athletes or people in general to know that there is a way. No matter what, there is a way.”