Paris Summer Games: A Memorable Yet Challenging Journey for Budinger and Evans
American beach volleyball duo Chase Budinger and Miles Evans faced a challenging journey at the Paris Summer Games, ultimately exiting the competition in the unlucky lucky loser stage. Despite their early departure, both athletes forged unforgettable memories among their peers and supporters alike.
The duo's campaign began with a promising victory against France. However, subsequent matches against the Netherlands and Spain ended in defeat, setting up a critical showdown against the formidable Norwegian pair, Anders Mol and Christian Sorum. Unfortunately, Budinger and Evans could not overcome the reigning champions, with the match concluding in Norway’s favor with scores of 21-16 and 21-14.
Budinger, a former NBA player with a seven-year career in the league, brought his competitive spirit and athletic prowess to the beach volleyball court. Reflecting on his Olympic experience, he shared, "Playing in the Olympics, playing in this venue, will definitely be up there with some of my greatest basketball moments, for sure." This transition from hardwood to sand has showcased his versatility, earning admiration from both fans and fellow athletes.
Mol, part of the Norwegian duo that defeated the Americans, expressed his respect, "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."
The partnership between Budinger and Evans began just at the start of the two-year Olympic qualifying season. Their determination paid off when they secured enough points to compete in Paris in the final two weeks of June leading up to the Games. Playing under the iconic Eiffel Tower, they relished a unique experience attended by 12,000 enthusiastic fans. Evans described the awe-inspiring moment: "Playing underneath the lights, underneath the Eiffel Tower, which was sparkling – you can't replicate these types of memories that we'll have."
Although the Paris Summer Games didn’t end as they hoped, both players are already eyeing future opportunities, specifically the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028, where the beach volleyball venue is planned for Santa Monica. Evans remains optimistic about their prospects, 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." Budinger, mindful of the physical demands, remarked, "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."
The camaraderie and mutual respect between Budinger and Evans were evident throughout their journey. Evans encapsulated their heartfelt sentiments, "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." Both athletes were keenly aware of the significance of their Olympic experience—so much so that they took a moment to savor the atmosphere before departing the venue. Evans recalled, "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.'"
While their journey in Paris concluded earlier than hoped, the memories and experiences gained will undoubtedly stay with Budinger and Evans forever. With their sights set on future achievements, the narrative of their perseverance and passion continues to inspire.