MILAN, Italy — In a week defined by both technical brilliance and profound emotional weight, American figure skater Maxim Naumov concluded his debut at the 2026 Winter Olympics on Friday, 13 February 2026. While the “Quad God” Ilia Malinin chased gold, Naumov provided the Games with its most poignant narrative, skating in memory of his parents who were tragically killed in a Washington, D.C. aviation accident just one year ago.
Naumov, 24, finished his Olympic campaign with a total score of 223.36. During Friday’s free skate, the Connecticut native posted a segment score of 137.71. Despite early struggles with his quad Salchow attempts, Naumov’s performance was met with a standing ovation from the crowd at the Milano Figure Skating Arena, many of whom were moved by the skater’s visible resilience.
A Journey Defined by Resilience
For years, Naumov was known as the “pewter specialist” of U.S. figure skating, finishing in fourth place at the national championships for three consecutive years (2023–2025). His breakthrough came in January 2026, when he secured the U.S. national bronze medal, finally clinching his spot on the Olympic roster.
His arrival in Milan carried a heavy legacy. Naumov is the son of 1994 World Champions and two-time Olympians Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov. Following their deaths in a mid-air collision in 2025, Maxim has frequently spoken about skating “with them” rather than just for them.
| Event Phase | Score | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Short Program (10 Feb) | 85.65 | Clean Triple Axel; emotional tribute to parents. |
| Free Skate (13 Feb) | 137.71 | Struggled with Quads; strong artistic presentation. |
| Total Score | 223.36 | Finished in the top 10 of the final standings. |
“Do Things Out of Love”
Throughout the 2026 Games, Naumov has emerged as a philosophical voice for Team USA. Following his short program earlier this week, he famously kissed a photo of his parents and told reporters, “I was feeling their presence. I want to do things out of love, not fear.”
While he did not reach the podium in Milan, his ability to compete at the highest level while navigating unimaginable personal grief has made him one of the most respected figures in the sport. As the men’s singles competition concludes, Naumov leaves Italy having fulfilled the Olympic dream his parents once shared, cementing his own legacy in American figure skating.
Reporting from Canada Wire News Desk. All figures in CAD ($) where applicable.