Paris Summer Games: American Beach Volleyball Duo Exits After Valiant Effort
American beach volleyball players Chase Budinger and Miles Evans saw their journey at the Paris Summer Games come to an unfortunate end. The dynamic duo faced fierce competition from the Norwegian champions Anders Mol and Christian Sorum, culminating in a match that sealed their exit in the lucky loser stage.
Budinger and Evans initially showcased their potential with a promising start, securing a victory against France in their opening match. However, subsequent defeats to the Netherlands and Spain painted a challenging path. The decisive match against Norway concluded with sets of 21-16 and 21-14, firmly in favor of the formidable Norwegians.
Budinger's transition from being a former NBA player with a seven-year career to becoming an Olympic-level beach volleyball competitor is nothing short of impressive. His athleticism and tenacity have not gone unnoticed. Norwegian player Anders Mol expressed his admiration, saying, "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."
An unexpected alliance formed between Budinger and Evans at the start of the two-year Olympic qualifying season, and their hard-fought efforts earned them a spot in Paris just weeks before the Games kicked off. Their perseverance paid off, allowing them the unique experience of playing beneath the Eiffel Tower, with 12,000 fervent spectators in attendance.
Reflecting on the once-in-a-lifetime experience, Budinger voiced his sentiments, noting, "Playing in the Olympics, playing in this venue, will definitely be up there with some of my greatest basketball moments, for sure." His teammate, Evans, shared a similar sense of awe, stating, "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 setting itself added to the magic of the moment. Budinger recalled, "Playing underneath the lights, underneath the Eiffel Tower, which was sparkling – you can't replicate these types of memories that we'll have." Evans echoed this sentiment, reminiscing, "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.'"
Their sights are now set on the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028, where Santa Monica is slated to be the venue for beach volleyball. Evans expressed hopeful anticipation for their future in the sport, "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." Budinger, who will be approaching 40 years old at that time, remains optimistic about his physical capabilities, humorously commenting, "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."
While their exit from the Paris Summer Games marks the end of an inspiring chapter, Budinger and Evans remain a symbol of tenacity and cross-sport versatility. They have not only made lasting memories but have also set a strong foundation for the future, aiming to bring their journey full circle in Los Angeles. The sports community and fans worldwide will undoubtedly watch with keen interest as this remarkable duo continues to chase their Olympic dreams.