American Duo Exits Paris Summer Games
In a bittersweet end to an ardent journey, American beach volleyball players Chase Budinger and Miles Evans exited the Paris Summer Games after a valiant effort. The duo’s hope of Olympic glory was cut short by the formidable Norwegian team of Anders Mol and Christian Sorum during the lucky loser stage. The match concluded with decisive scores of 21-16 and 21-14, both in favor of Norway.
Budinger and Evans made a promising start to their Olympic campaign, securing a victory against France in their initial match. However, subsequent losses to the Netherlands and Spain placed them in a precarious position. Despite their best efforts, the clash against the reigning world champions from Norway marked the end of their Olympic dream in Paris.
A legacy from a different sporting background accompanied Chase Budinger to the sands of Paris. Budinger, a former NBA player with seven years of professional basketball experience, made a remarkable transition to beach volleyball. His partnership with Evans began at the start of the two-year Olympic qualifying season, a journey that culminated in just enough points earned in the final two weeks of June to book their ticket to Paris.
Reflecting on his unique athletic journey, Budinger remarked, "Playing in the Olympics, playing in this venue, will definitely be up there with some of my greatest basketball moments, for sure." His sentiments were echoed by his teammate, Miles Evans, who added, "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." The duo played a memorable match beneath the iconic Eiffel Tower, captivating 12,000 fans in attendance, an experience etched into their memories.
Budinger's transition from professional basketball to beach volleyball has not gone unnoticed. Norwegian player Anders Mol shared his admiration: "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."
Looking back on their experiences in Paris, the duo couldn’t help but savor the moment. "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,'" Evans wistfully shared. This reflective mindset underscores their appreciation for the journey, even in the face of an early exit from the tournament.
As the sands of time continue to shift, both Budinger and Evans are setting their sights on future aspirations. The Los Angeles Olympics in 2028 is firmly planted on their radar, particularly for Budinger, who will be approaching 40 years old at that time. The planned beach volleyball venue at Santa Monica is already generating excitement. "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 shared optimistically.
Budinger, known for his resilience and strategic mindset throughout his athletic career, remains pragmatic 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 noted, indicating his awareness of the physical demands that lie ahead.
The partnership between Budinger and Evans highlights the relentless pursuit of excellence in the world of sports. Their story, marked by determination, evolution, and an unwavering commitment to their craft, serves as an inspiration. As they leave Paris with memories to last a lifetime, the world watches in anticipation of what they will achieve in Los Angeles and beyond.