Sean McCann, the younger brother of missing British child Madeleine McCann, is emerging from the shadows of his family’s tragedy and making a name for himself in the world of competitive swimming. He’s now tipped to represent Team Great Britain at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

Sean and his twin sister Amelie were just two years old when Madeleine vanished from a vacation apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal, on May 3, 2007. The case, which drew international attention, has remained unresolved for 18 years.

Although Sean and Amelie were too young to remember the events as they unfolded, they’ve grown up in the long shadow of their sister’s disappearance. Now, as young adults, they’re beginning to forge their own identities.

“They’ve always been known as ‘the McCann twins,’” a family friend told the Daily Mail. “But now they’re coming into their own.”

Sean, now a university student studying chemical engineering, is a rising star in freestyle swimming. He began competing at age eight and has gone on to win numerous titles at the county, regional, and national levels. He currently trains around 20 hours a week and recently won two medals for Scotland in an international competition held in Spain. He’s also expected to represent Scotland at the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

In a personal statement shared on a local website, Sean wrote, “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. To achieve this, I’ve had to stay extremely dedicated, getting up at 4 a.m. several times a week to train.”

Meanwhile, his twin sister Amelie is in her second year at university in northern England. She’s described as outgoing and athletic, having competed in cross-country running and triathlon events.

Their great-uncle, Brian Kennedy, says their parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, are proud of both their children. “Kate and Gerry are pleased with their achievements and the fact that they are making their own way in life,” he said.

The tragedy that changed their lives forever began when Madeleine, then three, disappeared from her bed while their parents were dining at a nearby restaurant just 180 feet away. Kate McCann discovered Madeleine was missing during a routine check-in at around 10 p.m., while Sean and Amelie remained asleep in their cribs.

Earlier this month, Kate and Gerry posted a heartfelt message on the official Find Madeleine Facebook page to mark the 18th anniversary of her disappearance. The post also acknowledged what would have been Madeleine’s 22nd birthday and expressed solidarity with missing children around the world — especially those affected by conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza.

“As we arrive at the 18th anniversary of Madeleine’s abduction, we’d like to thank our faithful supporters once again for standing by us and never forgetting about Madeleine,” they wrote. “The years appear to be passing even more quickly, and while we have no significant news to share, our determination to ‘leave no stone unturned’ is unwavering.”

They added, “No matter how near or far she is, Madeleine continues to be right here with us, every day — but especially on her special day. We miss her.”

The post included a montage of photos of Madeleine, along with a caption that read, “No matter how near or far she is, Madeleine continues to be with us, every day.”