Maxim Naumov breaks down in tribute to parents killed in plane crash

Figure skater Maxim Naumov broke down in tears after performing a powerful tribute in homage to his parents who were killed in the American Airlines tragedy.

Naumov, the son of 1994 world champion duo Evgenia ‘Zhenya’ Shiskova and Vadim Naumov, performed a solo routine at a charity event in Washington on Monday (AEDT).

The event was in aid of the families of those affected by the American Airlines crash on January 29, which killed 67 people.

READ MORE: Huge blow to AFL opener with two games binned

READ MORE: Slater reveals crucial detail in long-term Moses contract

READ MORE: ‘Optics are terrible’: New job for Hardwick’s partner probed

Of those killed, 27 people were a part of the figure skating community.

The 23-year-old have competed at the national event which some on board were returning from but had flown home a few days earlier.

Naumov stepped out with two white roses which he placed on a candle lit table next to the rink before moving to the middle of the ice.

He performed to the song, ‘The City That Doesn’t Exist’ – a track which he states his parents would “jump up and slow dance together.”

Naumov’s performance sparked a standing ovation from the sold out crowd as he fell to his knees weeping.

The American was seen wiping away his tears as he skated off the ice holding a candle.

“We’re all here to support one another, whether it was our friends that were on that plane, family members, coaches, teammates, loved ones,” Jason Brown, an Olympic team bronze medallist, said after the performance.

“We all travel for this sport. We get to do what we love, and travel is such a huge part of what we do.

“It all his us really hard because this is such an integral part of what we do… those are people that we’re closest to.”

The event also featured performances from American national champion Amber Glenn and reigning men’s world champion Ilia Malinin.

Glenn also ended her performance in tears as she paid her respect to those impacted.

Johnny Weir, a two-time Olympian, praised the support shown by teammates to those who lost a family member in the tragic crash following his performance.

“I think the moment of unity is the greatest gift we can give to those people we lost,” Weir said following his performance.

“Imagining that it could have been their mom or their family on the plane, it’s just devastating.

“I could never say that this event brings closure but it shows the kids I work with every day that great skaters can get torn up about things and still show up for others. It’s ok to be sad.”