American Duo Exits Paris Summer Games: Highlights and Reflections
American beach volleyball players Chase Budinger and Miles Evans faced a challenging run during the Paris Summer Games, concluding their journey at the lucky loser stage. The pair, who began their partnership at the start of the Olympic qualifying season, showed resilience and dedication, but ultimately fell short against the formidable Norwegian duo, Anders Mol and Christian Sorum.
The Americans initially made a strong impression with a victory over France, showcasing their skill and synergy on the court. However, subsequent matches against the Netherlands and Spain proved difficult, leading to a series of losses that placed them in the precarious position of the lucky loser stage. Their final match ended with Norway emerging victorious with scores of 21-16 and 21-14, effectively ending Budinger and Evans' Olympic campaign.
Budinger, who transitioned to beach volleyball after a seven-year NBA career, reflected on his Olympic debut with a sense of accomplishment and nostalgia. "Playing in the Olympics, playing in this venue, will definitely be up there with some of my greatest basketball moments, for sure," he remarked. His journey from professional basketball to Olympic beach volleyball has been nothing short of remarkable, earning the respect of peers and opponents alike. Norwegian player Anders Mol expressed his admiration, stating, "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 the 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."
The partnership between Budinger and Evans, formed just two years prior, saw them earn enough qualifying points in the final weeks of June before the Games, culminating in their presence at the Paris event. The highlight for the duo was undoubtedly playing a match beneath the iconic Eiffel Tower, attended by 12,000 enthusiastic fans. Reflecting on the experience, Evans stated, "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 emotional resonance of the Paris Games was palpable for both athletes. Budinger shared, "Playing underneath the lights, underneath the Eiffel Tower, which was sparkling – you can't replicate these types of memories that we'll have." Meanwhile, Evans added, "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.'"
Despite their early exit, Budinger and Evans remain optimistic about their future in the sport. With eyes set on the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028, where the beach volleyball events are planned to be held in Santa Monica, the team is keen to continue growing and competing at the highest level. "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," Evans reflected.
As Budinger approaches 40 years old at the time of the Los Angeles Games, he remains mindful of the physical demands of the sport. "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 commented, highlighting his commitment to staying in top form.
The journey of Chase Budinger and Miles Evans serves as a testament to their tenacity and passion for beach volleyball. Their performance in Paris, albeit short-lived, added a memorable chapter to their athletic careers and left an indelible mark on the fans and spectators who witnessed their efforts.