Paralympic champion David Smétanine becomes an Ezymob ambassador

David Smétanine, Paralympic swimming champion, becomes an Ezymob ambassador. Committed to inclusion for many years, he is partnering with Ezymob to advance accessibility and independence in travel. With six Paralympic Games, nine medals, and over twenty-five years of elite sports experience, he is now dedicating his expertise to high-impact projects. The collaboration kicked off at the first stage of the Marathon des Capables and will continue during upcoming launches and events for Ezymob's inclusive mobility solution.

Who is David Smétanine?

Born in Grenoble in 1974, David Smétanine is one of France's most decorated Paralympic swimmers. In 1995, at the age of 21, a road accident changed his life. Sport helped him rebuild himself before leading him to the highest level of competition. "Does sport change lives? Undeniably, it changed mine," he writes.

A freestyle sprint specialist, he competed in six Paralympic Games, from Athens in 2004 to Paris in 2024, winning nine medals. In Beijing in 2008, he became Paralympic champion in the 50m and 100m freestyle, giving France its first gold medal of those Games. He returned with two titles and two silver medals, the best performance of the French delegation. His career also includes eleven world medals, thirteen European medals, and 155 French championship titles, making him a prominent figure in para-swimming.

A Knight of the Legion of Honor and the National Order of Merit, David Smétanine—whose name is sometimes spelled Smetanine—is also active outside the pool. A speaker since 2017, he supports managers and companies in their inclusion efforts and works with younger generations. He is also co-chair of the Athletes' Committee for the French Anti-Doping Agency.

Independence at the heart of his commitment

For David Smétanine, accessibility is not just a technical issue. It determines one's ability to plan for the future. "What do I want to do in life? What meaning can I give to it if the places I visit are not accessible?" he writes in the white paper dedicated to accessibility in the events industry. His journey as an athlete convinced him that "autonomy and personal fulfillment are both essential in life and at work, because they help us grow."

From this experience, he draws a conviction that he now shares with businesses. Accessibility cannot be an afterthought at the end of a project. "Universal accessibility cannot be considered an option at the end of a production chain," he reminds us. It must be considered from the very beginning to build a society where everyone can find their place.

Convinced that "it is people who make the difference, because without them, technology cannot advance," he invites organizations to view disability not as a separate difficulty, but as an opportunity to progress.

A partnership for inclusive mobility

David Smétanine and Ezymob are united by values born from both sports and disability. From sports, they share a drive to excel, the importance of preparation, and team spirit, where everyone counts to move forward together. From disability, they share the conviction that it is not the individual who must adapt, but their environment that must allow them to act freely. Their ambition follows from this: that no one should ever have to give up on a trip, an event, or a project due to a lack of accessibility. "A new adventure and a wonderful collaboration with Ezymob is beginning; I am very happy and very proud of it!" David Smétanine said at the time of the announcement.

It is a way to combine the experience of a champion with the expertise of a company committed to inclusive mobility.

When technology helps improve travel and comfort for everyone, I am always on board ! David Smétanine, Paralympic champion and Ezymob ambassador

The Marathon des Capables, a first shared milestone

Ezymob participated in the very first stage, which was about 28 kilometers long. Alongside David Smétanine, Camille Maldjian and Florian traveled from Port-Marly to Paris, then went down the Champs-Élysées between the Arc de Triomphe and the Place de la Concorde, before finishing together on the Champ-de-Mars, at the foot of the Eiffel Tower. "What better way to create a bond and give meaning to what we want to do together than such a beautiful sporting event?" David emphasizes.

From this day, the team remembers the collective spirit above all else. In a race like this, no one moves forward alone, and everyone adjusts their pace so that everyone crosses the finish line together. They also remember the perseverance, the kind that keeps you going kilometer after kilometer. Moving forward together, at everyone's own pace and over the long term, are exactly the principles that will guide this collaboration.