US figure skater Maxim Naumov paid a hearbreaking tribute to his parents on his Winter Olympics debut, both of whom died in the 2025 American Airlines DC plane crash with an army helicopter.
The 24-year-old Naumov made his debut on Tuesday in the men’s short program and after completing his performance, held up a picture of himself with his parents when he was a young boy.
He received a wild cheer from the crowd at the Milano Ice Skating Arena, before kissing the picture and bursting into tears.
A message was also displayed on the jumbotron inside the arena, which said: ‘Mom and Dad, this is for you’.
Naumov was the second skater out of 29 to take to the ice on Tuesday and managed to channel his emotion well, recording a season-best score of 86.65 on the day.
One of the last conversations Naumov had with his parents was about what it would take to make the Olympics.
USA’s Maxim Naumov holds a picture of his late parents after his Winter Olympics debut
Naumov got tearful as fans paid tribute to his parents, who both died in a January plane crash
‘I’ve been inspired by them since day 1, ever since we stepped on the ice together,’ Naumov said.
‘It’s not necessarily thinking about them specifically,’ Naumov said, ‘but their presence. Feeling their presence. With every glide and step that I made on the ice, I couldn’t help but feel their support, almost like a chess piece on a chess board.’
As the last notes of ‘Nocturne No. 20’ by Frederic Chopin reverberated through the arena and the crowd rose to its feet, Naumov slid to a stop on his knees and looked to the sky, telling his parents: ‘Look at what we’ve done.’
‘I didn’t know if I was going to cry, smile or laugh,’ he said afterward. ‘All I could do was look up at them. And man, I still can’t believe what just happened. I think it’s going to take me a few hours or maybe a few weeks to know.’
The tribute from Naumov was similar to the one he carried out at the US figure skating championships last month.
Naumov’s parents, Vadim and Evgenia, died in the mid-air collision in January 2025 that killed 67 people.
They were crowned pairs world champions in ice skating in 1994 and were the people who introduced Naumov to the sport, remaining a key influence over his career up until their death.
Vadim and Evgenia were two of the 28 figure skating coaches, athletes and parents who were traveling from a development camp in Witchita, Kansas who lost their life.
Naumov was applauded and cheered by the crowd as he held the photo of his parents up
The 24-year-old Naumov appeared overcome with emotion after completeing his routine
After January’s championships, Naumov said of his grieving process: ‘Once a week I try to have that space with them, in whatever capacity that might be.
‘It could be a photo, talking to someone about them. It could be anything. It’s been therapeutic in a way.’
To this day, Naumov wears around his neck a gold chain with a cross, which he received on his baptism day. On his finger is a white gold ring with a single diamond, which his father once wore on his pinkie and passed down to him several years ago.
‘I mean, there’s parts of life that are difficult, you know? But I think within those difficult times and moments of like, talking about this story, it’s still such a privilege to share,’ he said back in January.
‘My intention is to share it as much as possible, because not only do my parents deserve all the praise and recognition and the fact that 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.’
Naumov’s teammate Ilia Malinin is favorite to win gold in Tuesday’s event.