American beach volleyball duo Chase Budinger and Miles Evans’ run at the Paris Summer Games came to an end after they were ousted by Norway’s formidable pair, Anders Mol and Christian Sorum. The defeat occurred during the lucky loser stage, with final match scores of 21-16 and 21-14 favoring the Norwegians. Despite their best efforts, Budinger and Evans found themselves unable to move past their European competitors.
A Journey Marked by Highs and Lows
Budinger and Evans entered the Olympic arena with high hopes. Their journey began impressively with a victory over the team from France. However, subsequent defeats by the Netherlands and Spain placed additional pressure on the American team as they navigated the challenges of the group stage.
Their partnership, which commenced at the start of the two-year Olympic qualifying season, showed remarkable progression. They managed to accumulate just enough points to secure their spot in Paris during the final two weeks of June, showcasing their resilience and commitment to the sport.
From NBA Hardwood to Olympic Sands
Chase Budinger isn’t new to high-pressure situations. A former NBA player, Budinger spent seven years excelling on the basketball court before transitioning to beach volleyball. Reflecting on his athletic journey, Budinger shared, "Playing in the Olympics, playing in this venue, will definitely be up there with some of my greatest basketball moments, for sure."
Anders Mol, who defeated the American pair, expressed 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 stated.
An Unforgettable Experience in Paris
One of the most memorable aspects of Budinger and Evans’ Olympic experience was playing beneath the sparkling Eiffel Tower. "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," Miles Evans remarked.
Evans and Budinger found themselves reflecting on the unique venue and atmosphere. "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 reminisced.
Budinger echoed similar sentiments, cherishing the picturesque setting. "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.
Looking Forward to Los Angeles
Despite their exit from the Paris Games, the duo is already setting sights on the next major event: the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Enthused about the future, Evans commented, "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."
Budinger, who will be approaching 40 by the time of the Los Angeles Olympics, is keenly aware of the physical demands that lie ahead. "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 conveyed.
With the beach volleyball venue for the 2028 Games planned for Santa Monica, both athletes are enthusiastic about competing on home soil, with a renewed sense of purpose and ambition. The resilience and adaptability they’ve demonstrated on the sands of Paris will undoubtedly fortify their preparation and performance in the years to come.
For Budinger and Evans, the Paris Summer Games might have concluded sooner than they hoped, but their dreams and aspirations remain undeterred, driving them forward with the promise of even greater accomplishments on the Californian coast.