The heart-wrenching news of the Washington DC Plane crash has left the Olympics community numb and broken. Returning from a figure skating development camp, the lines of life and death separated many loved ones. An Army Black Hawk helicopter collided mid-air with a regional commercial jet, American Eagle Flight 5342, on January 29. How do they cope with this painful heartache?

For some, the only way to process a loss is to express how much the bond meant to them. All they need is someone to sit and listen as they talk about their dear ones and how cheerful things were before. Sometimes, people just want to reminisce. It’s all about remembering, all about connecting. For some US figure skaters, the way to reflect and communicate their feelings is through their art.

The Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C, saw the skating community as one on March 2. Some of the greatest US Skaters, past and present, attended the Legacy on Ice Benefit event to pay tribute to the lives lost in the accident. Kristi Yamaguchi and Brian Boitano joined Olympic Gold medalist Evan Bates for the event. Likewise, the reigning men’s world champion Ilia Malinin was also present, giving a heartfelt and emotional performance to reflect how the community felt after the crash.

The most touching moments, however, came from Isabella Aparicio and Maxim Naumov. Isabella’s brother, Franco, and father were on Flight 5342, returning from the US figure-skating development camp. 14-year-old Franco was rather talented and gained popularity in the figure skating circles. For Isabella, the skating was nothing short of remembering how the world knows Franco. Most people reflected the emotions of the figure skater as they celebrated his life.

At 13 years old, she is such a brave soul to connect with everyone at this challenging time and commemorate her brother and father’s legacy for eternity.

23-year-old Maxim Naumov is an amazing skater. But he had great mentors right at home. Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova were figure skating coaches who also won the World Championships in pairs competition in 1994. The accident also claimed Maxim’s parents, a loss he poignantly expressed in his skating performance.

Starting with placing 2 white roses in front of the pictures of the ones who were on the plane, he composed himself. As the song started, which meant “Silenced, but I am forever falling from the sky…” Maxim expresses how his parents will forever be there with him in his heart: “The eye of Maryland is like an eternal sign.”

When he finished, he couldn’t hold back his tears any longer. It is just too painful at the moment. But he has people who understand what he is going through. And the fans are with him all the way.

The skating community pours in with their support

Isabella and Maxim need someone to hug to tell them they are with him. They don’t have to do it alone. One fan tweeted his earnest feelings to acknowledge what the survivors are going through: “My thoughts are with all these skaters who are mourning their family members and friends who are like family. Such strength for them to continue skating while dealing with this tragedy.” So true. It takes mental strength to come out here, hold the nerve, and go through it all without breaking down. We know how strong Max and Isabella are.

Speaking of Isabella’s tribute, another fan said, “A touching tribute. Thoughts are with you.” Isabella doesn’t deserve to go through this. Life isn’t fair, but she keeps it together while ensuring her brother and father are remembered forever. And a fan admired her strength: “That’s a strong young lady. I wish her much happiness💝”. Another fan prayed we pass through this difficult time: “😢🙏🙏🙏🙏”.

Maxim Naumov was so emotional. And one fan remembered how his mother could barely watch her son perform: “Evgenia was always too nervous to watch him skate in competition, but I hope she was looking down and watching him skate this performance. One of the most beautiful, sincere and vulnerable performances this sport will ever see 🙁.” Evgenia is proud. She has raised a great son, an amazing skater who has made his parents proud.

While one fan tweeted, “💔 speechless…” because what can you really say when you see someone like Maxim come out and perform like this, with the memories of his parents’ loss still on his mind and he has to push it aside and remember the good things that give him strength and will to go on. You can just be speechless and respect him.

Another fan, likewise, said, “so sorry for your loss Be strong”. And yes, Maxim remains strong mentally. Maybe he wants to cry his heart out, but for the world and his parents, he is being strong. RIP to all those who lost their lives in this unfortunate crash.