“Every embrace, message, call, and prayer has touched me in ways I can’t fully describe,” the figure skater said
Maxim Naumov penned a powerful message about the support he’s received since his parents, 1994 World Figure Skating pairs champions Evgenia “Zhenya” Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, were killed in the American Airlines tragedy.
“I am truly at a loss for words to express the depth of my gratitude and love for each and every one of you,” Maxim, 23, wrote in a post on Instagram on Tuesday, March 4, two days after he broke down in tears as he honored his parents while performing at the Legacy on Ice event.
Sharing a photo from the emotional performance in his post, Maxim continued, “Every embrace, message, call, and prayer has touched me in ways I can’t fully describe, and I am beyond grateful for your kindness and support. Your love has filled my heart so profoundly that it brings tears to my eyes. The generosity and compassion you have shown have given me the strength to keep moving forward, one day at a time.”
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The young figure skater said the support from his community “means more to me than I could ever put into words” in his caption. “From the bottom of my heart, thank you for standing by me during the most difficult time of my life,” Maxim concluded.
On Sunday, March 2, Maxim and other skaters paid tribute to the 28 members of the figure skating community who were onboard American Airlines flight 5342, which collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 29.
The event at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. raised funds through the Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation’s Legacy on Ice program for the families of the victims and the first responders who were on the ground.
In a clip shared on X from the event, Maxim is seen skating onto the ice holding two white roses before placing them on a table filled with more white roses and candles at the side of the rink.
Another clip from Maxim’s performance, shared by Team USA on X, showed Maxim holding up a candle while leaving the ice alongside some of his fellow skaters as the crowd clapped in solidarity.
Multiple skaters, along with Maxim’s parents, were heading back to D.C. after attending the U.S. Figure Skating National Development Camp in Wichita, Kan. Maxim had also been in Wichita and finished fourth in the senior men’s competition at the U.S. National Championships on Jan. 26, just days before his parents’ death.
The bodies of all 67 victims have since been recovered following the crash over the Potomac River, authorities have confirmed.
