In a heart-wrenching turn of events, 23-year-old figure skater Maxim Naumov is finding solace in the constant support of family friends following the tragic loss of both his parents in a recent plane crash near Washington, D.C.

Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, both former world champion figure skaters, were among the victims of the American Airlines Flight 5342 disaster when it collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter on January 29. The couple, who had competed at the 1994 Olympics and later became coaches in the United States, were returning from the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Kansas where their son, Maxim, had competed and placed fourth.

Sources close to the family have revealed that Maxim Naumov is now under the 24-hour care of close family friends, described by those who know them as akin to godparents to Maxim. “They’ve known Maxim since he was born and were very supportive to Vadim and Zhenya all the time,” said a source familiar with the situation. These friends, who have been part of the Naumov’s extended family for years, are now providing the young skater with round-the-clock emotional and practical support during this difficult time.

The tragedy has struck the tight-knit figure skating community deeply, with many in the sport expressing their condolences and offering support to Maxim. Olympic gold medalist Ekaterina ‘Katia’ Gordeeva shared her grief, noting the communal bond among skaters in Simsbury, Connecticut, where many from the Russian skating community, including the Naumovs, had settled.

Maxim’s journey ahead will not be easy, but the support system around him is robust. Friends and members of the skating community are rallying to ensure he has the emotional support needed to navigate through this profound loss.

The skating world, already mourning the loss of several of its own in the crash, is now coming together in an effort to help one of their promising young athletes cope with an unimaginable tragedy.