David Smétanine

David Smétanine, born on 21 October 1974 in Grenoble, is a French Paralympic swimmer. He has paraplegia caused by spinal damage after a car accident at the age of 21. He first represented France at the 2004 Summer Paralympics in Athens, winning a bronze medal in the 50 metre freestyle in his category. At the 2008 Summer Paralympics in Beijing he won gold in the 100 metre freestyle and gold in the 50 metre freestyle, as well as two silver medals, in the 50 metre backstroke and the 200 metre freestyle. At the 2012 Games he won two silver medals and a bronze. As of 2008 he was the European record holder in the 50, 100 and 200 metre freestyle and the 50 metre backstroke. In 2008 he was made a Chevalier of the Legion of Honour for his services to sport and to his country, and in 2010 he was elected to the Regional Council of Rhone-Alpes for the Socialist Party.