Paris Summer Games: U.S. Beach Volleyball Duo's Memorable Journey Ends
American beach volleyball duo Chase Budinger and Miles Evans saw their Paris Summer Games campaign come to an early end after falling to Norway's formidable pairing of Anders Mol and Christian Sorum. The match, held in the iconic setting beneath the Eiffel Tower, concluded with the Norwegian team clinching victory in straight sets: 21-16, 21-14. Despite the defeat, the American team leaves with memories that will last a lifetime.
Budinger and Evans started their Olympic journey on a high, securing a victory against the French team in their initial match. However, subsequent losses to the Netherlands and Spain placed them in the precarious lucky loser stage, where they ultimately faced and were ousted by the Norwegian duo.
For Chase Budinger, the transition from professional basketball to beach volleyball has been nothing short of remarkable. The former NBA player, who graced the basketball courts for seven years, found a new passion in the sands. "Playing in the Olympics, playing in this venue, will definitely be up there with some of my greatest basketball moments, for sure," Budinger reflected.
The partnership between Budinger and Evans began at the start of the two-year Olympic qualifying season, a journey filled with perseverance and determined effort. Their qualification wasn't assured until the final two weeks of June before the Games, underlining their grit and resilience. "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," stated Evans, capturing the sentiment of their rollercoaster journey.
The match drew a crowd of 12,000 fans, who witnessed the drama unfold beneath the twinkling lights of the Eiffel Tower. "Playing underneath the lights, underneath the Eiffel Tower, which was sparkling – you can't replicate these types of memories that we'll have," Budinger said, illustrating the unique and enchanting experience of competing in such a historic and picturesque venue.
Even in defeat, their efforts did not go unnoticed. Anders Mol, part of the Norwegian duo that ended their journey, voiced his admiration for 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 commented. Such recognition speaks volumes about Budinger's adaptability and commitment to excelling in a new sport.
The American pair left the court with mixed emotions but a sense of fulfillment. "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 shared, encapsulating the bittersweet nature of their departure from the Games. Yet, both athletes have their eyes set on future goals, particularly the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028. "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," said Evans.
Budinger, who will be approaching 40 by the time of the Los Angeles Games, remains optimistic about his physical condition and ability to compete. "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," Budinger remarked, hinting that he might still have some sand left in the hourglass for another Olympic run.
Their journey at the Paris Summer Games may have come to an end, but the indelible memories and the lessons learned are sure to fuel their ambitions for the future. With a potential stage set at Santa Monica for the Los Angeles Olympics, fans and supporters will be eagerly watching to see if the duo can make another inspiring run and perhaps turn the sands of time in their favor once again.