Madeleine McCann’s younger brother was cheered on by his parents and twin sister as he booked his place in the final of the 400 metres freestyle event during his Commonwealth Games debut.
Sean McCann finished fourth in the third of four qualifying heats at Tollcross International Swimming Centre in Glasgow.
His time of 3:52.64 was just enough to squeeze him into Saturday evening’s final in eighth position overall.
McCann was just two years old when sister Madeleine disappeared shortly before her fourth birthday while on holiday in Praia da Luz, Portugal, in 2007.
Sean McCann before the men’s 400m freestyle heatDespite extensive searches, she has never been found.
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.”
Amelie, Kate and Gerry McCann in the standsParents 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, are regular spectators at their son’s swimming events.
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.
Amelie, Kate and Gerry McCann in the stands after cheering on their son and brother Sean McCann (Jane Barlow/PA)His twin sister Amelie 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.
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“The Olympics is always the ultimate goal,” he added.
Sean McCann hopes to compete at the 2028 Olympics (Jane Barlow/PA)“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.