Kate and Gerry McCann enthusiastically supported their son Sean at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow today. They were present to witness Madeleine’s younger brother competing for Scotland in the 400m individual freestyle swimming event. Alongside the proud parents, Sean’s twin sister Amelie also cheered for him from the stands at the Tollcross International Swimming Centre.
Kate, aged 58, sported a t-shirt with the phrase ‘Yes Sir, I can boogie’ inspired by the 1977 Baccara hit, a well-known Scottish football anthem. Sean and Amelie, both now 21, were just two years old when Madeleine went missing from their family’s holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal, on May 3, 2007. Despite a worldwide search effort, Madeleine has not been located.
Sean, a dedicated athlete, has expressed his aspirations to compete in the Olympics. The Leicester native, studying chemical engineering at Loughborough University, began his competitive swimming journey at the age of eight. He previously represented Scotland at the 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games and has been part of the Scottish Swimming program since his teenage years.
Competing for Scotland due to his father’s Scottish heritage, Sean has showcased his talent on various platforms, including the European junior open water championships in Corfu and the British Championships. His participation in the senior Commonwealth Games follows his success at the 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games and the 2024 Championships, where he also competed for Team GB.
Reflecting on his upcoming performance in Glasgow, Sean shared his anticipation, stating, “I’m going in as more of an underdog. I don’t feel like there’s any pressure on me. I should be able to go in and perform at my best.” Recalling his initial reluctance towards swimming, Sean mentioned, “I hated it at first, didn’t want to go, but then after a while, it grew on me and I am still here now.”
Through years of dedication and rigorous training schedule, Sean has honed his skills, committing to early mornings and multiple training sessions weekly. With his sights set on the 2026 Commonwealth Games and the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, Sean remains focused on achieving his athletic goals.
