Sean McCann, the younger brother of Madeleine McCann, has been selected to represent Scotland in swimming at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. The 21-year-old Loughborough University student will compete in longer-distance freestyle events at the Tollcross International Swimming Centre, aiming for a strong performance to bolster his bid for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Sean McCann's Swimming Journey
McCann began swimming at age eight when his mother, Kate McCann, took him to Loughborough Town swimming club. Despite hating it initially, he grew to love the sport and now trains nine times a week in the pool plus three gym sessions, totaling over 20 hours of weekly training. He has been waking up at 4am multiple mornings since age 11.
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Previous Achievements
McCann represented Scotland at the 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games in Trinidad and Tobago, finishing fifth in the 400m freestyle and seventh in the 1500m freestyle. He also competed for Great Britain in the 10km at the 2025 European Open Water Championships in Croatia.
| Event | Year | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 400m Freestyle (Commonwealth Youth Games) | 2023 | 5th place |
| 1500m Freestyle (Commonwealth Youth Games) | 2023 | 7th place |
| 10km Open Water (European Championships) | 2025 | Competed for Great Britain |
| Commonwealth Games (Glasgow) | 2026 | Upcoming |
Key Takeaways
- Sean McCann, brother of missing Madeleine McCann, earned a spot on Scotland's Commonwealth Games team.
- He will compete in longer-distance freestyle events in Glasgow 2026.
- McCann trains over 20 hours weekly and aims for the 2028 Olympics.
- His family background continues to draw global media attention.
Background: The McCann Family
Madeleine McCann disappeared in 2007 during a family holiday in Portugal, becoming one of the most high-profile missing person cases worldwide. A Metropolitan Police investigation remains open. Sean and his twin sister Amelie were just two years old at the time. Now 21, Sean has carved his own path as an elite swimmer, representing Scotland through his father Gerry, who was born in Glasgow.