In a dramatic finish at the Paris Summer Games, American beach volleyball duo Chase Budinger and Miles Evans saw their Olympic journey come to an end. The pair, hailed for their unwavering dedication and sportsmanship, faced a series of challenging matches, ultimately bowing out in the lucky loser stage.
Struggle and Silver Linings
Budinger and Evans started their journey on a high note, securing a victory against France. However, the tides turned in subsequent matches, as they succumbed to defeats against formidable teams from the Netherlands and Spain. Their hopes were finally dashed by Norway's top-seeded pair Anders Mol and Christian Sorum. The match concluded with decisive scores of 21-16 and 21-14 in favor of the Norwegians.
"Playing in the Olympics, playing in this venue, will definitely be up there with some of my greatest basketball moments, for sure," remarked Chase Budinger, reflecting on the significance of their Olympic adventure. With his robust athletic background, spanning seven years in the NBA, Budinger's transition to beach volleyball has been nothing short of remarkable. His partnership with Evans commenced at the onset of the two-year Olympic qualifying season, and together they amassed enough points to secure their place in Paris only in the final two weeks of June before the Games.
A Night to Remember
The duality of such a prestigious event in one of the world's most iconic locations added an ineffable charm to their experience. Beneath the sparkling lights of the Eiffel Tower, with an enthusiastic crowd of 12,000 fans in attendance, they created memories that transcended their losses.
"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 shared, encapsulating the awe and thrill of competing on such a grand stage. Budinger echoed this sentiment, highlighting the uniqueness of their Olympic moment: "Playing underneath the lights, underneath the Eiffel Tower, which was sparkling – you can't replicate these types of memories that we'll have."
Respect from Rivals
The sentiment of respect traversed even to their competitors. Norwegian player Anders Mol praised Budinger's versatile athleticism: "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."
Eyes on the Future
Despite their exit, the duo's journey is far from over. With their sights set on the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028, Budinger and Evans are motivated to continue pushing their limits. The event, slated to take place in iconic Santa Monica, is already stirring anticipation and excitement. "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 expressed.
Considering the physical demands of the sport, Budinger acknowledges the uncertainties 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 noted. His pragmatic yet hopeful outlook underscores the commitment and resilience required to compete at the highest levels of sport.
The glowing reflections from their Olympic stint in Paris, mixed with their ambitions for future competitions, paint a vivid picture of athletes who are both humbled by and hungry for more of the sport's greatest stages. While Paris marked an ending of sorts, it also represents a milestone in their ongoing journey, fueling their aspirations and setting the stage for what lies ahead.