American beach volleyball duo Chase Budinger and Miles Evans saw their Olympic journey come to an end in the Paris Summer Games, exiting after a defeat against the formidable Norwegian team of Anders Mol and Christian Sorum. Competing in the lucky loser stage, the pair fell to Norway in straight sets, with scores of 21-16 and 21-14.
A Formidable Challenge
Budinger and Evans had a mixed run at the Games. They began with a promising victory against France but subsequently faltered in their matches against the Netherlands and Spain. Despite these setbacks, they managed to accrue enough points to compete in the Paris Games by the narrowest of margins, securing their spot in the final two weeks of June, just before the Olympic event.
Budinger, a former NBA player with a seven-year career in professional basketball, found the Olympic experience uniquely rewarding. "Playing in the Olympics, playing in this venue, will definitely be up there with some of my greatest basketball moments, for sure," Budinger shared.
A Transition and a Triumph
Budinger's transition from the hardwood to the beach has earned him considerable respect in the sports community. Norwegian athlete Anders Mol lauded his versatility, stating, "So much respect for Chase, who was able to play in the NBA for many years and was a great player there. And now he manages to play an Olympic sport for USA, beach volleyball. Those two sports are so different. He is a really athletic guy. And it's really cool. I have so much respect for that journey."
The partnership between Budinger and Evans began at the outset of the two-year Olympic qualifying season. Despite the challenges and intense competition, they remained steadfast, and their efforts culminated in an unforgettable Olympic experience. "We've been hyping this up for so long, and it definitely exceeded expectations. This is by far the coolest thing I've ever done in my entire life," Evans reflected.
A Memorable Venue
The Paris Games provided a uniquely enchanting setting for Budinger and Evans’s Olympic journey. Beneath the iconic Eiffel Tower, under the glow of sparkling lights, they competed before an enthusiastic crowd of 12,000 fans. The venue added a layer of magic to their Olympic narrative. "Playing underneath the lights, underneath the Eiffel Tower, which was sparkling – you can't replicate these types of memories that we'll have," Budinger remarked.
As they bid farewell to Paris, the duo took a poignant moment to absorb the grandeur of their surroundings one last time. Evans recounted, "We took a moment before we had to head out, just, 'Let's look at this one more time. We're not going to see this again.'"
Eyes on the Future
While the Paris Games mark the end of their current Olympic chapter, Budinger and Evans are already looking ahead to future challenges. The duo is setting their sights on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, where the beach volleyball venue is planned for the sandy shores of Santa Monica. "I hope that we can make the 2028 Olympics and see what that's all about. But this will always be one of the best memories of my life," Evans expressed.
Budinger, who will be approaching 40 by the time of the next Olympic cycle, remains cautiously optimistic about his future in the sport. "I'll be old as dirt. I've always said it's really up to my body. And I take it year by year of how my body's feeling. Right now I can say my body's been feeling great," he commented, hinting at the possibility of his continued presence in competitive beach volleyball.
The Paris Summer Games will be remembered as a significant milestone in the career of this dynamic pair. From the challenges on the court to the splendor of the Eiffel Tower, Budinger and Evans have created lasting memories that blend the thrill of competition with the beauty of one of the world's most iconic landmarks.