Maxim Naumov Makes U.S. Olympic Team One Year After Parents’ Death

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Maxim Naumov is celebrating an olympic-sized accomplishment.

Just a year after losing his parents, Evgenia “Zhenya” Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, in the American Airlines plane crash of January 2025, the professional skater has earned a spot on the 2026 U.S. Olympic men’s skating team.

Team USA announced on X (formerly Twitter) on January 11th that Maxim Naumov will be competing in his first Winter Olympics, calling it a ‘dream come true’.

In a video posted to Instagram on January 11th, 24-year-old Maxim was visibly emotional, crying and hugging his teammates after receiving some exciting news.

This significant milestone was reached almost a year after a tragic accident in January 2025, when a Black Hawk helicopter crashed into American Airlines Flight 5342, resulting in the loss of 67 lives, including 28 people involved in figure skating.

After a heartfelt performance honoring his parents—figure skating champions who won the World Championship in 1994—at the Legacy on Ice event in March 2025, Maxim shared his gratitude for the support he’s received from loved ones and strangers as he copes with a devastating loss.

Okay, seriously, I’m completely overwhelmed! Maxim posted the sweetest thing on Instagram – he said he doesn’t even have the words to explain how much he appreciates all of us. He was talking about the tribute, and he said every single hug, message, call, and even prayer has meant the world to him. He’s just so grateful for all the kindness and support, and honestly, it’s making me tear up just reading it! He really feels it, you guys, and it’s amazing.

He shared that the support and kind words he’s received have been incredibly comforting as he continues to grieve.

Maxim went on, saying that he was deeply touched by their love, it truly moved him. He added that their kindness and support had given him the courage to face each day and keep going.

I’m deeply grateful for your support – it means the world to me, especially during such a challenging time. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Keep reading for more info on the American Airlines collision.

On January 29th, an American Airlines flight with 60 passengers and four crew members collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter near Reagan Washington National Airport, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. The FAA announced the incident on X (formerly Twitter). Both the plane, which was traveling from Wichita, Kansas, to Washington, D.C., and the helicopter, carrying three people, crashed into the Potomac River.

The plane was a Bombardier CRJ-700, a twin-engine jet made in Canada, and was flying as part of American Airlines through its subsidiary, PSA Airlines.

The effort initially began as a rescue attempt, but shifted to recovering the bodies after all 67 people on board the two planes were confirmed deceased.

On February 4th, officials in Washington, D.C. released a statement expressing their sympathy for the families affected by this tragedy. They offered their heartfelt condolences and pledged continued support during this incredibly challenging period.

Investigators with the National Transportation Safety Board are still working to understand what happened, but initial data suggests the helicopter was flying higher than the 200-foot altitude limit for its designated flight path.

According to a February 4th investigation update, the Black Hawk helicopter appeared at an altitude of 300 feet on air traffic control displays at the time of the collision. Investigators noted this altitude reading was approximate, rounded to the nearest 100 feet.

The group of 60 passengers included 28 Americans connected to figure skating – skaters, coaches, and their families. They had been attending a camp in Wichita, Kansas, as confirmed by U.S. Figure Skating.

According to a statement to NBC News, these individuals – athletes, coaches, and family members – were traveling home after attending the National Development Camp, which was held alongside the U.S. Figure Skating Championships. The organization expressed deep sorrow over the tragic event and offered condolences to the families affected.

World figure skating champions Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, who got married in 1995, were also on the flight, according to the sport’s governing body.

Hamaad Raza was at the airport, waiting for his wife who was arriving on an American Airlines flight.

He told WUSA9 he was desperately hoping someone was rescuing her from the river at that very moment. “That’s all I can do,” he said, “just pray to God.”

Kiah Duggins, a civil rights attorney and incoming professor at Howard University School of Law, was also on the flight. Howard University announced that Duggins, a graduate of Harvard Law School, was scheduled to begin teaching there this fall.

According to Ron McLendon II, Deputy Director of Public Affairs for the Joint Task Force-National Capital Region/Military District of Washington, the helicopter belonged to Bravo Company, 12th Aviation Battalion, based at Davison Army Airfield in Fort Belvoir, Virginia, as he confirmed to NBC News.

I heard from an official that the plane was simply going through a routine training exercise when the collision happened. It’s just so unsettling to think about, knowing they were out practicing and then this occurred.

Those on board were identified as Captain Rebecca Lobach, 28, Chief Warrant Officer Andrew Eaves, 39, and Staff Sergeant Ryan Austin O’Hara, 28.

The FAA, Army, and National Transportation Safety Board are all looking into the crash, with the NTSB heading up the investigation. The Pentagon is also conducting its own separate review.

Although many details are still unclear, Jeff Guzzetti, a former investigator for the NTSB and FAA, explained to Today that the NTSB will thoroughly review the air traffic control communications from that night. This will include interviewing the controller and analyzing the radar data.

National Transportation Safety Board investigators are still working to analyze the recordings from the flight decks of both planes, according to an update released on February 4th. They are also continuing to pull wreckage from the Potomac River, working with the Navy’s salvage and diving experts.

President Donald J. Trump shared his condolences about the tragedy.

I just read the White House statement about the awful accident at Reagan National Airport, and my heart goes out to everyone involved. They’re asking for prayers for those who lost their lives, and I wholeheartedly join in that. I’m so grateful for the quick response of our first responders – they’re truly incredible. The White House is keeping a close watch on everything and will share more information as soon as it’s available, and I’ll be following closely.

Oh my gosh, did you hear about the flight? It was so scary! Thankfully, Ilia Malinin – my Ilia! – posted that he wasn’t on it. I was seriously panicking for a minute there! He said on Instagram he’s sending all his hopes and prayers to everyone who was on the flight, and honestly, that just makes me love him even more. He’s such a good person, on top of being the three-time U.S. champion, which he just won in Witchita! I’m so relieved he’s okay.

Wichita Mayor Lily Wu shared her sadness, telling reporters that the city was deeply affected by the news, saying their “hearts are heavy.”

She expressed sympathy for everyone affected by this heartbreaking event, stating that it will forever connect the communities of Washington, D.C., and Wichita, Kansas.

Olympic medalist Nancy Kerrigan spoke to reporters with heartfelt emotion about the tragic crash that killed six skaters from the Skating Club of Boston, a club where she once trained.

Visibly upset, Kerrigan explained she simply wanted to support her community. Discovering she knew passengers on the plane made the news even more devastating, she said.

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2026-01-12 00:48