Maxim Naumov delivered one of the most emotional moments of the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics on Tuesday night, turning his long-awaited Olympic debut into a tribute to the parents he lost just over a year ago.
Competing in the men's singles short program, Naumov earned a qualifying score of 85.65, a result that brought the Milano Figure Skating Arena to its feet. Moments after finishing his routine, the 24-year-old American skater dropped to his knees, looked upward, and softly said, "Look what we just did," addressing his late parents, Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov.
According to NBC News, Naumov later held up a childhood photo of himself skating with his parents as his score was announced. The image, which he has carried throughout the season, symbolized a lifelong dream shared between a son and two former world champion skaters who coached and inspired him from the very beginning.
Naumov told NBC he felt calm and guided throughout the performance, describing the experience as moving "like a chess piece on a chessboard," free from fear. Inside his Team USA jacket was a quote from his father that has shaped his mindset: "Expect the unexpected."
While fellow Americans Ilia Malinin and Andrew Torgashev posted higher scores, Naumov's performance resonated far beyond the standings. It marked not only a competitive milestone but a deeply personal act of remembrance and perseverance.
As he advances to the free skate later this week, Naumov's journey continues to reflect how faith, memory, and purpose can coexist in moments of profound pressure. For many watching, his Olympic debut stands as a quiet testimony to hope-one that honors the past while courageously stepping forward.
Related: Maxim Naumov Skates Forward With Faith and Resilience at 2026 Winter Olympics
