Madeleine McCann's family find joy after heartbreak: Gerry and Kate McCann's gifted son is tipped to swim for Team GB at 2028 Olympics
Twins Sean and Amelie McCann's 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 sister's absence throughout their lives.
'They've always been in Madeleine's 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 Gerry's native Scotland at the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Writing recently on a local website after winning a grant to fund his training, Sean explained how he'd 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.
'In order to have achieved this, I have had to remain extremely dedicated, getting up at 4am multiple mornings each week to train.'
Sean's 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 couldn't 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 Madeleine's 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.
Earlier this month, Madeleine's 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 Madeleine's 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 Madeleine's abduction, we'd like to thank our faithful supporters once again for standing by us and never forgetting about Madeleine.
'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 Children's 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.
'We're 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 Madeleine's 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.'
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