At a Glance
- Maxim Naumov, 24, secured third place at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, earning a spot on the Olympic team
- His parents, former world champion pair skaters Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova, died in the January 2025 Potomac mid-air collision
- Naumov held a childhood photo with his parents after his winning routine in St. Louis
- Why it matters: The selection fulfills a lifelong dream he discussed with his parents just weeks before their deaths
One year after discussing Olympic ambitions with his parents in what became their final conversation, Maxim Naumov has realized that dream. The 24-year-old figure skater was officially named to the U.S. Olympic Team on Sunday, finishing third at the national championships in St. Louis behind Ilia Malinin and Andrew Torgashev.
A Legacy on Ice
Naumov’s connection to Olympic figure skating runs deep. His parents captured the world pairs title in 1994 and competed in two Winter Olympics for Russia before relocating to the United States in 1998 to coach at the Skating Club of Boston. Their coaching legacy shaped countless skaters, including their son, who grew up immersed in the sport.
The family’s Olympic story took a devastating turn last January. After Naumov placed fourth at the 2025 U.S. Championships in Wichita, Kansas, he boarded an early flight home. His parents remained behind to attend a developmental camp, a decision that placed them on the American Airlines flight that collided with a military helicopter over the Potomac River. The crash claimed 67 lives, including 28 members of the U.S. figure skating community.
The Road to Milan
This week’s championships represented more than competition for Naumov. Following his performance, he clutched a photograph showing himself as a young boy on skates, holding hands with his parents. The image captured both his personal history and the weight of his journey back to the ice.
“I thought of them immediately,” Naumov said Sunday, according to U.S. Figure Skating. “I wish they could be here to experience it with me, but I do feel their presence, and they are with me.”
The Olympic figure skating competition is scheduled for February 6-19 in Milan, where Naumov will join 15 other American skaters. Malinin enters as a gold medal favorite after securing his fourth consecutive national title.
Overcoming Adversity
Naumov’s path to the Olympic team required navigating profound grief and physical challenges. His preparation was disrupted by injuries and emotional turmoil following his parents’ deaths. The recovery process tested both his mental resilience and technical skills.
“I came into this competition thinking how grateful I am to even have the ability to compete and the fact that I overcame so, so much,” Naumov told reporters Saturday. “Looking back, even not being able to lace up my skates and not knowing if I was going to compete, let alone skate, what I did (Saturday) I don’t even have the words, honestly, of just what I had to overcome to be here.”
The Selection Process
The U.S. Figure Skating selection committee based Olympic team decisions on performances at the national championships, though past international results and consistency factored into final determinations. Naumov’s third-place finish provided sufficient points to secure his position among the 16 skaters chosen to represent the United States.
The team announcement came during a carefully orchestrated ceremony in St. Louis, where skaters learned their fate alongside family, coaches, and supporters. For Naumov, the moment represented both professional triumph and personal healing.
Community Support
The figure skating community has rallied around Naumov since the tragedy. Fellow competitors, coaches, and officials have publicly acknowledged his strength in returning to competition. The sport’s tight-knit nature meant many at the championships had direct connections to those lost in the crash.
Social media reaction to Naumov’s selection was immediate, with News Of Fort Worth reporting widespread support across platforms. The official NBC Olympics account highlighted his achievement, connecting his personal story to broader Olympic themes of perseverance.
Looking Ahead
With the Olympic team now finalized, attention shifts to preparation for Milan. Naumov will balance intensive training with media obligations inherent to Olympic athletes. His story has already generated significant interest, promising increased scrutiny during competition.
The figure skating events will unfold across multiple days, with short programs preceding free skates in each discipline. Naumov’s performance trajectory suggests potential for strong showings, though competition will be fierce among international skaters.
Key Takeaways:
- Maxim Naumov’s Olympic selection comes exactly one year after discussing Olympic dreams with his parents
- The 2025 Potomac crash claimed 67 lives, devastating the U.S. figure skating community
- Naumov’s third-place finish at nationals secured his spot on the 16-member Olympic team
- He will compete in Milan February 6-19, honoring his parents’ legacy while pursuing his own Olympic dreams
