As the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina approach, American figure skater Maxim Naumov is diving into what promises to be the most emotionally intense season of his career. The three-time U.S. pewter medalist has been so close to reaching elite international success for a while now. He’s not just chasing his own Olympic dreams; he’s also carrying the legacy of his parents, Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova. They were the 1994 World Pairs Champions and coached him throughout his life until their tragic passing in the January 2025 Potomac River mid-air collision.

Naumov found himself dealing with a huge void after their sudden loss, both in his personal life and his career. He had to think about whether he could keep skating without the two people who had influenced every part of his

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