Sean McCann, the brother of missing Madeleine McCann, has been selected to swim for Scotland at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. The 21-year-old will compete in freestyle disciplines at the Tollcross International Swimming Centre during the 11-day event.
Sean's Olympic Ambitions
According to Scottish Swimming, Sean hopes that his performance at the Commonwealth Games will help him qualify for Team GB and swim at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028. He began competitive swimming at age eight and previously represented Scotland at the Commonwealth Youth Games in Trinidad and Tobago in 2023, competing in the 400m and 1500m freestyle events.
Family Background
Sean's twin sister, Amelie, is also part of the Scottish team selected for the Games. The pair were only two years old when their sister Madeleine was abducted on May 3, 2007, while the family was on holiday in Praia da Luz, Portugal. A worldwide manhunt was launched, but Madeleine remains missing and is presumed dead.
Sean's Training and Dedication
Speaking on the Joe Humphries Memorial Trust website, Sean revealed his rigorous training regimen: “I started competitive sport when I was eight, joining Charnwood triathlon club. It was here that I discovered my passion for swimming and I joined Loughborough Town swimming club to increase the number of swim sessions I did per week. At the age of ten, I was selected to swim at City of Leicester and I have since gone on to win multiple county titles as well as becoming regional and National champion in my age group.”
He added: “In order to have achieved this, I have had to remain extremely dedicated, getting up at 4am multiple mornings each week to train, since the age of 11. I train nine times a week in the pool, as well as three gym sessions, totalling over 20 hours of training per week. I’m aiming to compete at the 2026 Commonwealth Games and also the 2028 Olympics in LA.”
Amelie's Athletic Pursuits
Amelie has previously competed as a triathlete at university level with the Durham University Triathlon Club. It is unclear whether parents Kate and Gerry McCann will attend their races in Glasgow.
