Madeleine McCanns brother is tipped to compete for Team GB at the 2028 Olympics after the tragic disappearance of his sister.
Twins Sean and Amelie McCanns lives irrevocably changed when their older sister went missing during a family holiday to Portugal on May 3, 2007.
Though neither was old enough to remember the tragedy as it unfolded in the Praia da Luz on the Algarve, they have had to grapple with the heartbreak of their sisters absence throughout their lives.
Theyve always been in Madeleines shadow, and just been the McCann twins, a family friend told the Mail. But now they are young adults, they are carving out their own lives.
Indeed, Sean, a champion freestyle swimmer, is expected to go on and represent Great Britain at the next Olympics in Los Angeles, Mail+ revealed.
The university chemical engineering student, who started swimming competitively at age eight, is also predicted to compete for Gerrys native Scotland at the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Writing recently on a local website after winning a grant to fund his training, Sean explained how hed started swimming competitively.
At the age of ten, I was selected to swim at the 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.
Madeleine McCanns younger brother Sean is tipped to compete for Great Britain in the 2028 Olympics (pictured: Gerry and Kate McCann with Sean and Amelie in their apartment in Praia da Luz in Portugal in May 2007)
In order to have achieved this, I have had to remain extremely dedicated, getting up at 4am multiple mornings each week to train.
Seans commitment, which sees him spend 20 hours at the gym each week, has led him to multiple successes, including winning two medals for Scotland at an international competition in Spain.
Meanwhile, Amelie is currently in her second year at university in the north of England, where she is popular, outgoing, and sporty – having competed in cross country and triathlon events.
According to Brian Kennedy, the twins great-uncle, their parents couldnt be prouder. Kate and Gerry are pleased with their achievements, and the fact that they are making their own way in life, he said.
Sean and Amelie were in the same room as their sister, then three, when she vanished from an apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal, in May 2007.
Born on February 1, 2005, the twins were just two and a quarter at the time of Madeleines abduction.
Madeleine disappeared from her bed in the holiday villa while her parents Gerry and Kate, from Rothley in Leicestershire, were having dinner with friends at a nearby tapas restaurant just 55 metres away.
Kate checked the children at 10pm to find Maddie had disappeared but the twins were still sleeping soundly in their cots.
Madeleine (pictured) vanished aged three while on a family holiday in Praia da Luz, Portugal, in May, 2007
Earlier this month, Madeleines parents released a heartfelt message to their missing daughter on 18th anniversary of her disappearance
Earlier this month, Madeleines parents posted a poignant message to their missing daughter on the 18th anniversary of her abduction.
Kate and Gerry updated their official Find Madeleine Facebook page just hours ahead of the milestone of when she went missing during a family holiday in Portugal on May 3 2007.
In their message – which also marked what would be Madeleines 22nd birthday later this month – they also made a heartfelt nod to missing and displaced children in the UK and war torn Ukraine and Gaza.
Kate and Gerry said: As we arrive at the 18th anniversary of Madeleines abduction, wed like to thank our faithful supporters once again for standing by us and never forgetting about Madeleine.
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The years appear to be passing even more quickly and whilst we have no significant news to share, our determination to leave no stone unturned is unwavering. We will do our utmost to achieve this.
May is also the month which includes International Missing Childrens Day (25th). We continue to remember all missing children and their families, both here in the UK and abroad, thinking especially of all the children displaced from their homes & families in Ukraine & Gaza at this time.
Were very grateful to the UK Charity, Missing People for their ongoing, invaluable work, & to all organisations, charities and police forces who remain committed, despite many challenges and limited resources, to finding & bringing home the many missing and abducted children.
May is also Madeleines birthday – her 22nd this year. No matter how near or far she is, she continues to be right here with us, every day, but especially on her special day.
We continue to celebrate her as the very beautiful and unique person she is. We miss her.
The post contained a montage of pictures of Madeleine with the caption, No matter how near or far she is, Madeleine continues to be with us, every day.
