David Smétanine
David Smétanine (born 21 October 1974) is a French Paralympic swimmer. Personal history. Smétanine was born in Grenoble, France in 1974. He has paraplegia caused by spinal damage after he was involved in a car accident at the age of 21. In 2008 he was made a Chevalier of the Légion d'honneur, for his services to his sport and his country after his performance at the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games. In 2010 he was elected to the Regional Council of the Rhône-Alpes, representing the Socialist Party. Swimming career. Smétanine first represented France at the 2004 Summer Paralympics  in Athens, winning a bronze medal in the 50 metre freestyle event in his category. At the 2008 Summer Paralympics, he won gold in the 100 metre freestyle event and gold in the 50m freestyle, as well as two silver, in the 50m backstroke and 200m freestyle. At the 2012 Games, he won two silver and a bronze. As of 2008, he was the European record holder in the 50m, 100m and 200m freestyle events, as well as the 50m backstroke.