Samoan champion weightlifter Vaipava Nevo Ioane

The silver, the secret, and a baby named Birmingham: The emotional journey of Samoan weightlifter Nevo

The 34-year-old was carrying a sporting secret he wasn't sure when or where to reveal.

But even then, something much bigger was on his mind.

On top of the secret he would later reveal to his coach and teammates, his wife was pregnant and would give birth any day.

She had no support back home in Apia.

Nevo had spent his last days on Samoan ground finding a babysitter to look after their three young children for when the newborn would arrive.

The thought of his wife needing him while he was on the other side of the world was nearly too much to bear.