A Roller Coaster Olympics Journey Ends for Budinger and Evans
American beach volleyball duo Chase Budinger and Miles Evans concluded their campaign at the Paris Summer Games after a series of challenging matches led to their exit in the lucky loser stage. Their journey was punctuated by a mix of triumphant beginnings and somber farewells beneath the iconic Eiffel Tower.
Early Momentum and Subsequent Challenges
Budinger and Evans initially tasted victory against France, raising hopes for a strong run. However, their momentum was halted as they suffered defeats to the Netherlands and Spain. The deciding match against the top-seeded Norwegian pair, Anders Mol and Christian Sorum, ended with scores of 21-16 and 21-14 in favor of Norway.
Reflecting on the experience, Chase Budinger, a former NBA player who transitioned to beach volleyball, expressed the significance of competing at this venue. "Playing in the Olympics, playing in this venue, will definitely be up there with some of my greatest basketball moments, for sure," he noted. Budinger, who spent seven years in the NBA, has approached beach volleyball with the same determination that guided his basketball career.
A Notable Partnership
Budinger and Evans officially teamed up at the start of the two-year Olympic qualifying season. Despite the late start in their partnership, they managed to earn enough points to qualify for the Olympics just in the final two weeks of June. This whirlwind entry into the Games did not hinder their spirit or competitive edge.
"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 said about their time in Paris.
Memorable Moments Under the Eiffel Tower
Their match against the Norwegian team was witnessed by over 12,000 fans who gathered under the sparkling lights of the Eiffel Tower, creating an unforgettable atmosphere for competitors and spectators alike. Budinger reminisced, "Playing underneath the lights, underneath the Eiffel Tower, which was sparkling – you can't replicate these types of memories that we'll have."
Despite their exit, the respect and camaraderie among competitors were evident. Anders Mol, who along with Christian Sorum ended the Americans' run, lauded Budinger's athletic prowess. "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 Ahead to Los Angeles 2028
Although their Paris adventure has ended, both players are setting their sights on the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, where the beach volleyball venue will be in Santa Monica. Miles Evans expressed his anticipation for the future: "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."
Chase Budinger, who will be nearing 40 during the 2028 Olympics, remains optimistic about his physical condition. "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 confidently stated.
As they took one last look at the Eiffel Tower after their final match, Evans remarked, "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.'"
For Budinger and Evans, the Paris Games were a testament to their resilience, teamwork, and the unique experiences that come with representing their country on such a prestigious stage. Their journey may have ended, but the memories they created and the respect they garnered will endure far beyond the sands of Paris.