Cape Town - Luvo Manyonga leaped to a silver medal in the long jump pit at the Rio Olympics.
Manyonga's story is stuff of Hollywood movie material.
The 25-year-old was close to dying before intervention from SASCOC president Gideon Sam got his life back on track.
Manyonga was banned for 18 months back in 2012 when traces of methamphetamine (tik) were found in his system.
Shortly thereafter his coach was killed in a car crash.
However, he put those incidents behind him in Rio when he came within a centimetre of winning.
Luvo Manyonga!!! The most inspirational story ever
— Akani Simbine (@AkaniSimbine) August 14, 2016
Our athletes are making us so proud! Congratulations to Luvo Manyonga on winning silver for long jump! What an inspiring young man.
— Patricia de Lille (@PatriciaDeLille) August 15, 2016
Luvo Manyonga, well done and take a bow, young man for beating drugs and winning a medal at the Olympics!
— Kobus Wiese (@4KobusWiese) August 15, 2016
Luvo Manyonga we are so proud of you son,Welldone for what you've achieved,South Africans let's start celebrating this Champ ??????????
— Breyton Paulse (@BreytonPaulse) August 14, 2016
Congratulations young man, an outstanding achievement #LuvoManyonga Let's celebrate the success of our Champ....you rock ???????
— Beresford Williams (@BeresfordW) August 14, 2016