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MILAN \u2014 Four weeks ago, Maxim Naumov sat on the rinkside couch in St. Louis, shoulders heaving as he gave into the weight of grief. He\u2019d just finished one of the two routines that would soon send him to the 2026 Olympics in Milan. In his hand, he held a family picture of himself as a child, holding the hands of his parents. It was a poignant scene, because Max was the only one in that photo here to appreciate the moment.<\/p>\n
Naumov\u2019s parents, Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova, died a year ago in a plane crash<\/a>, two of so\u00a0 many lost in an accident that devastated an entire sport. Max rededicated himself to his craft in the weeks after the crash, and he\u2019ll carry the burden of the tragedy for the rest of his life \u2026 starting with these Olympics.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n One year later, the shock has subsided, but the pain persists. Every figure skater on the Olympic figure skating team carries the trauma of that terrible night, none more than Max Naumov.<\/p>\n