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Oksana Baiul, 1994 Olympic gold medal champion and Ukrainian native, celebrated Obama's inauguration with others at the Ukrainian Embassy in Washington D.C.'s Georgetown neighborhood. WASHINGTON, D.C. – Americans mingled with famous Ukrainians in celebrating the inauguration this week of U.S. President Barack Obama. The gathering at the Ukrainian Embassy in Georgetown included an astronaut, an Olympic champion and former U.S. ambassadors to Ukraine.

The Washington Mall attracted more than two million people who wanted to witness American history. But Morgan Williams, president of the U.S.-Ukraine Business Council, had the large crowds of the 2004 Orange Revolution on his mind. “We still still remember Maidan,” Williams said of the democratic movement that cancelled a fraudulent presidential election that year.

William Miller, Steven Pifer and John Herbst – all former U.S. ambassadors to Ukraine – joined the event. Other guests included NASA astronaut Heidemarie M. Stefanyshyn-Piper, who was in space twice, in 2006 and 2008. “I always highlight that I have Ukrainian origin and my last name Stefanyshyn is Ukrainian. It is very good when people around the world know what Ukrainians can do,” Stefanyshyn-Piper said in Ukrainian.

“Even though, Ukraine had its own astronaut, [Leonid] Kadenyuk, and I am American, I have Ukrainian origin, too.”

Oksana Baiul, the 1994 Olympic gold medal figure skater, also attended. She remains justifiably proud of her special place in independent Ukraine’s history. “I was, in fact, the first Ukrainian champion in figure skating. Of course, Viktor Petrenko got the gold medal before me. But at his time already, independent Ukraine had not even selected the state anthem,” Baiul said. “I was the first champion in this sport when the Ukrainian flag was raised and the anthem was played.”

Baiul is currently involved in humanitarian projects, including assisting an orphanage in Odesa. Having lost her parents in childhood, Baiul has an intimate understanding of orphans’ needs. Born in Dnipropetrovsk, Baiul developed her career as a skater at the Sports Palace in Odesa. “I am proud that I am a part of Ukraine and that I represent my country,” Baiul said. “I am thankful this life for everything it has ever given to me and I would like to share with others.”

Another celebrity with Odesa roots was pianist Maxim Mogilevsky. “I have recently visited my native Odesa where the Philharmonic Theatre is a special place for me because my great grandfather participated when it was founded and a few generations of my family have been connected to it,” Mogilevsky said.

Participants expressed hope that the new American leadership will strengthen the U.S. economy and bring international renewal, including to Ukraine. Many in the gathering are willing to help Ukraine personally. Stephen Swift, an American judge, was one of them. “I am now retiring and together with my wife we are going to Kyiv very soon, for a year and a half or even more with humanitarian mission,” Swift said. “I am very excited to see your capital city and Ukrainians.”

Yuliya Melnyk is Kyiv Post’s Washington correspondent. She can be reached at ymelnyk@yahoo.com.