Maxim Naumov Secures Olympic Spot for Team USA
Figure skater Maxim Naumov, 24, has secured a place on the U.S. team for the upcoming Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina. This achievement followed his third-place finish at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in St. Louis, where he competed behind Ilia Malinin and Andrew Torgashev.
Naumov has since qualified for the free skate event at the 2026 Winter Olympics in the Milano Ice Skating Arena, achieving a season-best score during his short program.
Olympic Qualification and Performance
Naumov's qualification for the U.S. Olympic team was confirmed after his performance at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships. More recently, during the 2026 Winter Olympics, he completed a short program on a Tuesday night to qualify for the free skate competition.
Performing to Frederic Chopin's "Nocturne No. 20," Naumov registered a season-best score of 85.65 points.
Despite a slight slip on his triple axel, he recovered to complete a technically solid routine, securing a spot within the top 24 competitors and advancing to the free skate.
A Legacy of Skating: Family Background
Naumov's parents, Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova, were former world champions in pairs figure skating, having won the title in 1994 while representing Russia. They later served as coaches at the Skating Club of Boston.
In January 2025, Naumov's parents died in a midair collision in Washington D.C. The incident involved American Airlines Flight 5342 and a United States Army helicopter, resulting in 67 fatalities, including 28 individuals connected to U.S. figure skating.
Naumov's Olympic ambition was a topic he had discussed with his parents. He has described them as his "superheroes," "role models," and "biggest support system."
Enduring Spirit: Personal Tributes and Inspiration
During his performances, Naumov has consistently carried a photograph of himself as a child with his parents, a gesture he made at both the U.S. Figure Skating Championships and the Olympics. After completing his Olympic short program and awaiting his scores, he held the photo over his heart.
Naumov stated that he felt his parents' presence during his skate.
He described a sensation of "a hand on my back, pushing me forward" and an "unusual calm" before his music began.
Following his Olympic short program, Naumov looked upwards and displayed emotion. He expressed a sense of accomplishment, remarking, "look what we just did."
Naumov has also shared a message of inspiration:
"Tragedy and very difficult times will unfortunately happen to all of us at a certain moment in your life. The only way out is through, and everyone has the ability to do that, to remain strong in your mind, to have will power, and do things out of love instead of fear."
He concluded by reiterating his hope to inspire others to pursue their goals.