Luvo Manyonga welcomed home by cheering friends and family

One tiny centimetre stood between Team South Africa's first gold medal at the 2016 Olympic Games after long jumper Manyonga leapt to the rainbow nation's fourth silver on Saturday night.

His sixth and final leap of 8.37 metres (a new personal best) seemed like a gold medal effort, but he was eclipsed by the American Jeff Henderson, with a final jump of 8.38 metres into the sandpit.

But, in 2012, the year of the London Olympics, Luvo's world came crashing down as his life spiralled out of control.

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A dramatic announcement was made at the SA Championships that Luvo had tested positive for traces of 'TIK' (methamphetamine), and he was slapped with a two-year ban.

Manyonga, however, rose from the ashes to become one of South Africa's golden boys at the Olympics and received a warm welcome home.

Manyonga’s friends and family waited at the international arrival's hall holding balloons and draped in the South African flag.

Loud cheers and chants of ‘Luvo Luvo Luvo’ could be heard throughout airport.

Photos and videos by Slindelo Masikane