Figure skater Maxim Naumov was destined for greatness. His parents, Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova, won the World Championship in pairs figure skating in 1994 and competed twice for Russia at the Olympic Games. In January 2025, he left Wichita, Kansas, on a flight following his fourth-place finish at the U.S. championship. His parents took a later American Airlines flight that crashed into a military helicopter and then into the Potomac River. Tragically, 67 people died, and 28 had connections to U.S. figure skating. The deaths devastated many, including Maxim. But he knew that his parents would want him to keep skating. He dedicated the next year to training, improving, and getting to the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. On January 11, that dream came true. View this post on Instagram A post shared by TODAY (@todayshow) Maxim Naumov Will Represent the United States in the Olympics After a stellar performance at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in St. Louis, Maxim Naumov secured his place on the team. Maxim sat holding a photo of himself as a child with his parents, all three in skates.  He told Hoda Kotb following the championships that in his heart, he told his parents, “We did it. We did it together.” The 24-year-old admitted he would not be where he is without the love and dedication of his mom and dad. Seeing Maxim Naumov heading to Milano Cortina touched many hearts. “Every bit of Maxim , from when he was little , and all that has transpired, is all a big part of his story, and his amazing talents. Good Luck Maxim, we will be watching, supporting, cheering you on and most of all, praying for you. Can’t wait for Milan, We Love you!!” A fan wrote. “As a die hard skating fan, let’s focus on the why and the how he got there. His prior successes and his current season. Period. I love Max’s skating and I want it to be appreciated on its own,” another agreed. Congratulations to Maxim and everyone competing for Team USA. This story’s featured image is by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images.