American beach volleyball duo Chase Budinger and Miles Evans saw their journey at the Paris Summer Games come to a bittersweet end, exiting in the lucky loser stage at the hands of an impressive Norwegian team. The two faced world-class opponents Anders Mol and Christian Sorum, who clinched victory with scores of 21-16 and 21-14.
Initial Highs and Subsequent Lows
Budinger and Evans started their Olympic campaign on a high note, securing a crucial win against France. However, they struggled to maintain this momentum, suffering defeats to both the Netherlands and Spain in subsequent matches. Their ultimate elimination by Norway was a decisive end to what had been a roller-coaster journey.
Despite the setbacks, Evans expressed his awe at the 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," he said.
A Unique Journey to the Olympics
Chase Budinger's transition from NBA star to Olympic beach volleyball player is nothing short of remarkable. The former NBA player spent seven years in the league before trading the hardwood for the sand. The partnership with Evans began at the start of the two-year Olympic qualifying season, a venture that paid off just in time, as they earned enough points in the final weeks of June to secure their spot in Paris.
Reflecting on his multifaceted career, Budinger remarked, "Playing in the Olympics, playing in this venue, will definitely be up there with some of my greatest basketball moments, for sure."
The Eiffel Tower Spectacle
One of the significant highlights for the duo was playing a match beneath the glittering Eiffel Tower, an experience made even more memorable with the attendance of 12,000 fans. "Playing underneath the lights, underneath the Eiffel Tower, which was sparkling – you can't replicate these types of memories that we'll have," Budinger noted.
Such unique moments were not lost on their opponents either. Norwegian player Anders Mol expressed his profound respect for Budinger's journey. "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," Mol said.
Looking Forward to Los Angeles 2028
Despite the early exit, Budinger and Evans are optimistic about their future in the sport. The duo has set their sights on the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028, where the beach volleyball venue is planned for Santa Monica.
Evans captured the sentiment aptly: "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 during the 2028 Olympics, remains cautiously optimistic. "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."
As they reflect on their time in Paris, both players appreciate the rare opportunity to compete at such a historic venue, forging memories that will last a lifetime. "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 recalled.
While the Paris Summer Games has drawn to a close for Budinger and Evans, the experience has fueled their determination to return stronger and more prepared for Los Angeles.