Milan, Italy — American figure skater Maxim Naumov, 24, made a powerful and moving Olympic debut at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics on Tuesday, earning one of the season’s best scores and dedicating his performance to the memory of his parents, who tragically died last year.
Naumov scored 85.65 points in the men’s short program — a personal high at a major international event — and secured a spot in the free skate. He described feeling an unusual sense of calm and confidence on the ice, which he attributed to the spiritual presence of his parents, former world champions Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova, both of whom were also his first coaches.
In a deeply emotional moment after his routine, Naumov reflected on how their influence continues to guide him, saying that he felt them “moving him from one element to the next.” He credited the support of fans for helping him channel his grief into performance strength.
The occasion was especially poignant as it comes one year after the tragic plane collision near Washington, D.C., which claimed the lives of his parents along with 65 other people, including members of the figure skating community — a loss that profoundly impacted the sport.
Naumov’s journey to the Olympics has been both inspiring and challenging. After finishing third at the 2026 U.S. Figure Skating Championships, he earned his place on Team USA despite the emotional aftermath of his parents’ deaths earlier in his career.
As he prepares for the free skate, Naumov continues to honor his parents’ legacy, holding up a childhood photo of them together after his performance — a symbolic tribute that has resonated with audiences worldwide.