Madeleine McCann’s brother cheered on by parents at Commonwealth Games

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Madeleine McCann’s younger brother Sean was cheered on by his parents and twin sister Amelie as he booked his place in the final of the 400 metres freestyle event on his Commonwealth Games debut.

McCann finished fourth in the third of four qualifying heats at Tollcross International Swimming Centre, his time of 3:52.64 just enough to squeeze him into Saturday evening’s final in eighth position overall.

McCann was just two years old when Madeleine disappeared shortly before her fourth birthday during a holiday in Praia da Luz, Portugal in 2007. Despite extensive searches, she has never been found.

Sean McCann was delighted to reach the final of the men’s 400m freestyle (Jane Barlow/PA) (PA Wire)

After making the final, McCann said: “I’m delighted. It wasn’t really an expectation coming into the Championships, especially with how strong the field was, so to have made it is fantastic.

“I wouldn’t say I felt pressure, but I was definitely nervous. There were so many people watching and I wanted to perform well, not just for myself but for Team Scotland as well. I’m glad I was able to produce a decent performance.”

Parents Gerry, clad in a blue Team Scotland top, and Kate, who wore a tee-shirt bearing the Games’ anthem ‘Yes Sir, I can Boogie’, are regular spectators at their son’s swimming events.

Sean McCann was cheered on by his parents Gerry and Kate McCann, and sister Amelie (Jane Barlow/PA) (PA Wire)

The 21-year-old, who studies chemical engineering at Loughborough University, previously represented Scotland at the Commonwealth Youth Games in Tobago in 2023, where he finished fifth in the 400m freestyle event.

He started swimming at an early age and was selected to swim at the City of Leicester club, with which he won multiple county titles and became national champion in his age group.

Although he grew up in England, he qualifies to represent Scotland through his father, Gerry, who was born in Glasgow. His sister Amelie is a promising Scottish triathlete.

Sean McCann will compete in a number of freestyle events in Glasgow (Jane Barlow/PA) (PA Wire)

McCann says he hopes to use his experience at the Commonwealth Games to target a place in the Great Britain team for the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.

“The Olympics is always the ultimate goal,” he added. “Being able to represent Scotland here is a really important stepping stone towards that. Hopefully, with a couple more years of hard work, I can put my name in the mix.”

Before that, McCann will have further opportunities in the Tollcross pool, as he is expected to also compete in the men’s 800m and 1500m freestyle events later in the Games.

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