**Maxim Naumov to Compete in Winter Olympics After Family Tragedy**
**Meta Description:** Figure skater Maxim Naumov, who lost his parents in a tragic crash, is set to represent the U.S. at the Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina.
**URL Slug:** maxim-naumov-winter-olympics-2026
Maxim Naumov, a 24-year-old figure skater, is set to represent the United States at the upcoming Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, just a year after the devastating loss of his parents in a plane crash. Officially named to the U.S. Olympic team, Naumov joins fellow skaters Ilia Malinin and Andrew Torgashev as part of the men’s figure skating squad, competing in the games starting February 6.
Naumov’s parents, Evgenia “Zhenya” Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, were celebrated figures in the figure skating world, having won the World Figure Skating Championships in 1994. Tragically, they lost their lives in a collision between an American Airlines plane and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter in Washington, D.C., on January 29, 2025. The crash claimed 67 lives, including 28 from the figure skating community, as many were returning from the U.S. Figure Skating National Development Camp in Wichita, Kansas. Although Naumov was present at the camp, he was not on the ill-fated flight.
Just days before his Olympic selection, Naumov performed at the U.S. Championships, where he honored his parents by holding up a childhood photo of himself flanked by them. “Sharing the vulnerability with the audience and feeling their energy back is something I will remember for the rest of my life,” he expressed to reporters after his performance.
His parents were instrumental in his training and development as a skater, and after their passing, Naumov faced uncertainty about pursuing his Olympic dreams. However, he remained committed to the goals they had set together. “One of our last conversations was about exactly that, and it would mean the world to me to do that. That’s what we’re fighting for,” Naumov shared.
With his Olympic dream now a reality, Naumov aims to bring home a medal from Italy next month, fulfilling a promise to himself and his late parents.
**FAQ**
**Q: What happened to Maxim Naumov’s parents?**
A: Maxim Naumov’s parents, both former world champions in figure skating, tragically died in a plane crash in January 2025 when their flight collided with a military helicopter.