American Duo's Olympic Journey Ends in Paris
The glittering Paris Summer Games proved to be a showcase of highs and lows for American beach volleyball players Chase Budinger and Miles Evans. Despite a promising start, their run concluded in the heart of the city beneath the iconic Eiffel Tower, during the highly competitive "lucky loser" stage.
The duo's campaign commenced on a high note with a victory over France in their opening match. However, momentum soon shifted, with subsequent losses to formidable teams from the Netherlands and Spain, setting a tough stage for their final showdown against Norway's Anders Mol and Christian Sorum. Faced with the world-class Norwegian pair, Budinger and Evans fought valiantly but were ultimately bested with set scores of 21-16 and 21-14.
The journey to Paris was a remarkable tale of persistence and skill. The partnership between Budinger, a former NBA player with seven years of professional basketball to his name, and Evans was forged at the start of the two-year Olympic qualifying season. Despite their late entry into the competition, they earned their spot in the Games through performances that culminated in a crucial two-week stretch in June—a testament to their dedication and synergy.
Budinger's transition from the NBA to Olympic beach volleyball has garnered significant attention. Standing beneath the Eiffel Tower, he reflected on his experiences, stating, "Playing in the Olympics, playing in this venue, will definitely be up there with some of my greatest basketball moments, for sure." The sentiment was echoed by Evans, who described the event as exceeding all expectations and declaring, "This is by far the coolest thing I've ever done in my entire life."
The duo's performance in Paris may not have ended with a podium finish, but the memories and the experience gained were invaluable. Andersen Mol, their Norwegian opponent, paid tribute to Budinger's athletic versatility, commenting, "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."
The specter of the iconic Eiffel Tower provided a unique backdrop for the games. Under the sparkling lights, the significance of the moment was not lost on the American duo. As Evans reminisced, "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 ahead, the pair has set their sights on the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028, with the picturesque Santa Monica planned as the beach volleyball venue. Budinger will be approaching 40 by then, but he 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 remarked.
Despite the challenges and the early exit, the experience in Paris stands as a high point in their careers. Evans summed up their aspirations succinctly, "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 American pair returns home, carrying with them not just the lessons learned and the experience gained, but also the ambitious drive to continue their athletic endeavors on the sand courts. For now, the memory of playing under the dazzling lights of the Eiffel Tower remains a cherished highlight in their sporting chronicles.