American beach volleyball players Chase Budinger and Miles Evans exited the Paris Summer Games after a valiant but challenging campaign. Despite a solid start, their Olympic journey ended in the lucky loser stage with a final defeat at the hands of Norwegian duo Anders Mol and Christian Sorum.
A Promising Start, A Tough Finish
Budinger and Evans showcased their potential early in the competition with a crucial victory against France. However, subsequent losses to the Netherlands and Spain placed them in a must-win situation during the lucky loser stage. Their match against the formidable Norwegian pair ended in a straight-set defeat, with scores of 21-16 and 21-14, which dashed their hopes of advancing further.
A Remarkable Partnership
The partnership between Budinger, a former NBA player, and Evans began at the start of the two-year Olympic qualifying season. Budinger, who spent seven years in the NBA, seamlessly transitioned to the sands of beach volleyball, earning enough qualifying points with Evans only in the final two weeks of June preceding the 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 on his dual-sport career. In contrast, Evans expressed his own awe: "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."
Memories Beneath the Eiffel Tower
One of the standout memories for the duo was a match played beneath the iconic Eiffel Tower, attended by 12,000 fans. "Playing underneath the lights, underneath the Eiffel Tower, which was sparkling – you can't replicate these types of memories that we'll have," said Budinger. 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.'"
Respect from Competitors
Even their opponents expressed admiration for Budinger’s athletic journey. "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," remarked Anders Mol.
Eyes on Los Angeles 2028
Despite their exit, Budinger and Evans are already setting their sights on the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028, where the beach volleyball venue is planned for Santa Monica. Evans is optimistic, saying, "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."
As for Budinger, he acknowledges his advancing age but remains committed as long as his body permits. "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 and Evans's journey, though truncated, has certainly left an indelible mark on their careers and the sport. Their story is a testament to versatility, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of excellence across the diverse arenas of professional sports.