Madeleine McCann’s brother swims into Commonwealth Games finals as parents cheer him on

Madeleine McCann’s younger brother Sean has earned a spot in the finals of the Commonwealth Games 400-metre freestyle.

McCann, 21, was cheered on by his parents Gerry and Kate and his twin sister Amelie as he finished fourth in the third of four qualifying heats in Glasgow.

His time of 3:52.64 was just fast enough to make the final on Saturday evening, in eighth position overall.

McCann and Amelie were just two years old when Madeleine, aged three, disappeared during a family holiday in Portugal in 2007.

Despite extensive searches and countless media appeals, she has never been found.

McCann said that he was “delighted” to make the final.

“It wasn’t really an expectation coming into the championships, especially with how strong the field was, so to have made it is fantastic,” he said.

“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 McCann, clad in a blue Team Scotland top, and Kate McCann, who wore a T-shirt bearing the Games’ anthem “Yes Sir, I Can Boogie”, were in the stands along with Amelie.

The proud parents are regular spectators at their son’s swimming events.

McCann, 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, who was born in Glasgow.

Amelie, meanwhile, is a promising Scottish triathlete.

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.