Nearly a year on from a tragic loss, Maxim Naumov is headed to the Winter Olympics. The Hartford-born figure skater finished third at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in St. Louis on Sunday, securing his spot at the Winter Games in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo.
It was a tumultuous 2025 for Maxim to say the least, following his parents’ death in late January of last year. The upcoming games in February will be his first on that stage after claiming a bronze medal at the US Championships, his best-ever finish in that competition.
Maxim Naumov’s parents died in a plane crash
The 25th Winter Olympics are less than a month away, but we already have one of the feel-good stories shaping up. While it comes in the wake of sadness and tragedy, Maxim’s journey to Italy is sure to be a source of inspiration and a topic widely discussed ahead of the figure skating events.
Maxim’s parents, Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova, were killed in a plane crash on January 29, 2025. American Eagle Flight 5342 collided with a military helicopter over Washington, D.C.
Following his program on Sunday, Maxim admits he wasn’t sure he’d be able to compete or skate given everything he’s been through. “I don’t even have the words, honestly, of just what I had to overcome to be here,” he said. Maxim said he leaned on the support he received over the past year from others to keep going.
When hearing about his parents’ death, he admits that never competing again was something he’d considered. He says that he and his parents always talked about going to the Olympics one day. His qualification comes amid some negative news stories about the sport, specifically about a former athlete. Oksana Baiul lost custody of her child. There had been abuse allegations during her marriage to Carlo Farina.
Now Maxim will get to compete at the Olympics, as he is one of 16 skaters to earn a place on the US team. Maxim was third behind Ilia Malinin and Andrew Torgashev, who finished first and second, respectively, in the weekend’s event. The Olympics begin on February 6.
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