In a tough outing at the Paris Summer Games, American beach volleyball players Chase Budinger and Miles Evans saw their Olympic journey come to an end. The duo, who started their campaign promisingly with a victory against France, were outmatched by Norway's formidable team of Anders Mol and Christian Sorum in the lucky loser stage.
The final scores against the Norwegians were decisive, ending at 21-16 and 21-14, marking the culmination of Budinger and Evans' adventure in Paris. Their initial triumph over France had raised hopes, but subsequent losses to the Netherlands and Spain complicated their path to advancement.
A Basketball-to-Volleyball Transition
Chase Budinger's journey to beach volleyball is anything but conventional. A former NBA player with seven years in the league, Budinger transitioned to beach volleyball at the start of the two-year Olympic qualifying season. His athletic prowess transferred well to the sand, even earning praise from his Norwegian competitors. "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," remarked Anders Mol.
Budinger and Evans amassed enough points to compete in Paris only in the final two weeks of June, barely making the cut for the games. Yet, their rapid progression as a team has been nothing short of impressive. Reflecting on his dual-sport 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."
Memories Beneath the Eiffel Tower
The setting for their final match was iconic, playing beneath the sparkling lights of the Eiffel Tower, a sight that drew 12,000 fans. The emotional weight of the moment was palpable for both athletes. "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," Miles Evans shared, capturing the shared sentiment.
Budinger added, "Playing underneath the lights, underneath the Eiffel Tower, which was sparkling – you can't replicate these types of memories that we'll have." The duo took a poignant moment to savor the experience before departing the venue. Evans noted, "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.'
Looking Towards 2028
The Paris setback has not dimmed their future aspirations. Both Budinger and Evans have already set their sights on the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028, where the beach volleyball venue is slated for Santa Monica. As Budinger will be nearing 40 years old by then, his outlook remains pragmatic yet hopeful. "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 admitted. Evans echoed the optimism by stating, "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."
The pair's experience in Paris has fortified their bond and underscored their resilience, attributes that will undoubtedly serve them well as they aim for redemption on home turf. The road to Los Angeles promises to be a demanding one, but if their journey thus far is any indication, Budinger and Evans have both the talent and tenacity to make it happen.