McPherson, who competes in the under-67 kilograms category, won bronze at both London 2012 and the 2015 World Championships in Chelyabinsk but suffered a first-round defeat in Rio.

The American led Farida Azizova of Azerbaijan, the 10th seed, 4-2 before her opponent fought back with a late three-point offensive kick.

The party was staged as she was the only athlete from the region to represent the United States at the Games in the Brazilian city.

During the event in her home town of Sturgis, located in Meade County, McPherson spoke to attendees on a range of topics, including what it means to be an Olympian.

The 26-year-old, who was born in Texas but grew up in South Dakota, also detailed her Rio 2016 experience as well as more technical aspects of her sport, such as the scoring system.

McPherson, who won Pan American Games gold in the Canadian city of Toronto last year, signed autographs and spoke at length with fans who had come out to welcome her home.

She has now left Sturgis as she has departed for Miami, where she will train ahead of next year’s World Championships in Muju in South Korea.

"It’s so humbling," McPherson said to Kota TV.

"This time around I was the only South Dakotan to go to the Olympics and I want to inspire others to understand that it doesn't matter where you come from that as long as you put your dedication and hard work in and trust yourself anything is possible."

The US kept up their impressive run of medals in taekwondo during Rio 2016 as Jackie Galloway’s bronze ensured they have finished on the podium at every Games since Sydney 2000, when taekwondo first became an official sport.

Galloway’s achievement also represented the first time they had won a medal in the over 67kg heavyweight division.