In a dramatic and poignant conclusion to their journey at the Paris Summer Games, American beach volleyball players Chase Budinger and Miles Evans saw their Olympic dreams dashed in the lucky loser stage. Budinger, a former NBA player with seven years of professional basketball under his belt, and his partner Evans, faced formidable competition in their quest for Olympic glory.
Early Triumphs and Subsequent Struggles
Budinger and Evans began their Olympic campaign with a promising victory against the French team, hinting at a compelling run ahead. However, the momentum quickly shifted when they lost to both the Netherlands and Spain in subsequent matches. These setbacks set the stage for a high-stakes clash against the Norwegian duo Anders Mol and Christian Sorum—a match that would determine their fate.
Against Norway, Budinger and Evans fought valiantly, but were ultimately ousted by Mol and Sorum with scores of 21-16 and 21-14. This defeat marked the end of their Paris adventure.
Memorable Moments Beneath the Eiffel Tower
Despite their exit, Budinger and Evans experienced unforgettable moments, not least of which was playing beneath the iconic Eiffel Tower, a match attended by a raucous crowd of 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," Budinger reflected. For Evans, the experience surpassed their expectations: "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."
Admiration Across the Net
The respect from their opponents was equally notable. Norway’s Anders Mol, who played a key role in ending Budinger and Evans's bid, offered high praise for Budinger's athletic versatility. "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 remarked.
Looking Towards Los Angeles 2028
As the Paris Games concluded for them, Budinger and Evans turned their sights to the future, with aspirations of competing in the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028, where the beach volleyball venue is planned for Santa Monica. For Budinger, who will be approaching 40 years old at that time, the decision hinges on 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," Budinger noted.
Evans echoes the sentiment, placing an emotional bookmark on their experiences in Paris while looking ahead to the possibilities. "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 said. Summing up their journey and the distinct impression that Paris left on them, Evans shared a poignant moment they took in together, "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.'
The Road to Paris
Reflecting on their journey to Paris, it was a testament to their determination and teamwork. Their partnership began at the onset of the two-year Olympic qualifying season, and it was only in the final two weeks of June, right before the Games, that they secured enough points to compete. Despite the ups and downs, the duo's resilience was evident.
For Budinger, the transition from the NBA to Olympic-level beach volleyball has been a testament to his adaptability and athletic prowess. "Playing in the Olympics, playing in this venue, will definitely be up there with some of my greatest basketball moments, for sure," he shared, underscoring the significance of this chapter in his sporting career.
As they close the Paris chapter, Budinger and Evans carry forward not just memories, but invaluable experience and a shared vision for what lies ahead. Although the Paris Summer Games ended earlier than they had hoped, their story is far from over, and the sands of Santa Monica beckon with the promise of new beginnings.