American Pair Bow Out of Paris Summer Games in Beach Volleyball
In a sport that thrives on rhythm and resilience, American beach volleyball duo Chase Budinger and Miles Evans found themselves halted at the Paris Summer Games. Their exit came at the hands of the formidable Norwegian team of Anders Mol and Christian Sorum, with the scores registering 21-16 and 21-14 in favor of the Norwegians. This marked the end of a spirited journey for the Americans, who had progressed to the lucky loser stage.
The pair started their Olympic campaign on a high note, securing a victory in their first match against France. However, subsequent losses to both the Netherlands and Spain placed them in a precarious position, ultimately leading to their decisive match against the Norwegian duo. Despite their premature exit, the experience left an indelible mark on both players.
Chase Budinger, who transitioned from a seven-year career in the NBA to the sands of international beach volleyball, found immense value in the Paris Games. "Playing in the Olympics, playing in this venue, will definitely be up there with some of my greatest basketball moments, for sure," Budinger reflected. Having begun their partnership at the commencement of the two-year Olympic qualifying season, Budinger and Evans diligently accumulated enough points, clinching their spot in Paris during the final two weeks of June.
The grandeur of playing beneath the iconic Eiffel Tower, in front of a crowd of 12,000 fans, was not lost on the athletes. Miles Evans expressed his awe candidly, "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." His admiration for the unique venue and the atmosphere was a sentiment shared by many.
Chase Budinger echoed his partner's sentiment, emphasizing the uniqueness of the experience. "Playing underneath the lights, underneath the Eiffel Tower, which was sparkling – you can't replicate these types of memories that we'll have," he said. The blend of athletic competition and historic backdrop provided a setting that will be cherished by the players for years to come.
Their Norwegian adversary, Anders Mol, also acknowledged Budinger's remarkable journey from basketball to beach volleyball. "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.
As they departed from the stage that hosted some of their most memorable moments, Evans and Budinger took a moment to soak in the magnificence. "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, capturing the sentiment of gratitude and reflection.
With their focus now shifting towards the future, both players have set their sights on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, where the beach volleyball venue is slated for Santa Monica. For Budinger, who will be approaching 40 years of age by then, the opportunity represents a new horizon. "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 stated, indicating his cautious optimism.
Evans, too, remains hopeful about their prospects. "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," he concluded.