Sean McCann, swimmer

[TheAverageJoanne]

I noticed the swimmer Sean McCann is being described in every news story as Madeleine McCann's brother. AIBU to think this is unfair to the guy who's trained, qualified and got into the final? It feels very unfair.

I saw the thread, clicked on the first page then straight to most recent - and I wasn’t surprised. I wish the discussion had veered more to the impact on him of the way he is reported. Poor guy - from this thread it shows he can’t achieve (live, even) in his own right.

It was a bit unusual at the time though. And it still is. Certainly in my world/my social circle. I, like many others on here - never left my children alone while I went out socialising with my friends in a separate building - not even one that was 'only' 5 minutes walk away.

And actually leaving your child in a separate building with no-one watching them - in a foreign country, now that was unusual! Still is. Popping back to the apartment every 20-30 minutes to see if all is OK, wasn't really good enough.

.

Absolutely 100% this, ^

People who keep criticising the McCanns for leaving their children unattended seem to be missing a point; Kate and Gerry were foolish and unwise and I’m sure they have regretted it millions of times and will regret it millions more but this does not make it right that Madeline was taken!

I don't see anyone saying that it's right that Madeline was taken.

Not as unusual then as it is now, that’s the point.

People saying “I would never have done that” -ok? You won’t get a good parenting award. They did it and have acknowledged the mistake. They paid for it didn’t they. Why do people still want to put the boot in all these years later?

Well that the parents deserved to have her taken then.

Loughborough University have put out a story about his swimming with no mention of the family connection. Universities do this regularly.

We've looked round Loughborough University - they are very big on sports at every level - with us they were mentioning a lot their lacross player who started sport while with them now representing wales at international level.

I hope he does well and future articles focus more on his acheveiments.

I am always shocked though number of posters who think the parents actions were normal in that time period. My parents in 70 refused to leave us on hoildays feeling it was unsafe while IL were happy to do so with DH. So frankly it was becoming outdated way to behave when I was a child let alone when my DC were young -in similar age range. I think if they'd not been middle class professional child endangement charges would have been brought against them somewhere.

Having said that I'm sure they've endure a living hell and it wonderful the two remaining children seem to be doing well in life.

I thought the same. Awful reporting. No doubt he was prepared for that, but British press is disgusting at times.

Yeah, he and his brother Jamie and a couple of other kids heard gunfire and went and barricaded themselves in an empty classroom and were there several hours, unsure whether it was safe to come out, iirc.

Who has said this then?

I know, it’s insane. Yet there are still posters who insist it’s just like eating in your back garden, or that they could see the apartment.
Neither are true.

the press are just so vile and ghoulish as are the many people now discussing again the awful incident like its a bit of gossip its just not needed

let Sean and his family enjoy his amazing achievements

People saying “I would never have done that” -ok? You won’t get a good parenting award.

.... But not leaving your pre-school age children alone whilst you go out socialising with friends, does make someone a better parent than someone who does leave them.

That's just a fact.

One of mine was born 2005 and we used listening aids in hotel restaurants. Provided by the hotel. That's how normal the practice was back then.

Every time it was mentioned on the news Madeleine's name and the McCanns were also mentioned. And photos of them too.

Good for them! Sean deserves to have his achievements celebrated in their own right.

I think this entire thread is in pretty bad taste

A close friend of DD swam with both him and his sister the swimming community do seem quite protective of him, which is nice
I feel sorry for him and having to carry that with him

It seems to that the implication is there in some
posts.

I think people may have misunderstood my intent here. Maybe it was too early in the morning. I meant the media ("they") can't resist drawing attention to them. Not that they were doing it themselves.

I don't think my OP is, but several responses are.

I actually meant that the media can't help falling over themselves to draw attention to them when they are just minding their own business, but it was badly expressed, and I'm sorry for the confusion.

Not necessarily, you could drag your kids with you everywhere you go, give them a tablet or phone to keep them quiet, rarely interact with them, treat them abominably in all sprts of ways all the while never letting them out of your sight. The McCanns’ twins have clearly had the benefit of two very supportive and encouraging parents.