American Pair's Paris Dreams Dashed: The Journey of Chase Budinger and Miles Evans
In the pulsating environment of the Paris Summer Games, beneath the iconic twinkling lights of the Eiffel Tower, American beach volleyball players Chase Budinger and Miles Evans' Olympic dream came to an abrupt end. The duo fell to the formidable Norwegian team of Anders Mol and Christian Sorum in the decisive lucky loser stage. For Budinger and Evans, it was the culmination of a rollercoaster ride that spanned the highs of initial victory and the lows of subsequent defeats.
From NBA Courts to Olympic Sand
Chase Budinger, a name once synonymous with the hardwood floors of the NBA, where he played for seven years, embarked on an entirely different athletic odyssey with Miles Evans at the start of the two-year Olympic qualifying season. Their partnership, forged in the crucible of beach volleyball's grueling qualification process, managed to earn enough points to compete in Paris only in the final two weeks of June prior to the Games.
The journey in Paris began on a high note, with a hard-fought victory against France. However, reality soon set in as the team lost to both the Netherlands and Spain, setting the stage for their confrontation with Mol and Sorum. The Norwegian duo, known for their prowess and synergy, were relentless, securing the match with scores of 21-16 and 21-14, thus ending the Americans' campaign.
Memorable Moments Underneath the Eiffel Tower
Despite the premature exit, the experience was unforgettable for Budinger and Evans. Reflecting on the unique venue and electric atmosphere, Budinger shared, "Playing in the Olympics, playing in this venue, will definitely be up there with some of my greatest basketball moments, for sure." His sentiments were echoed by Evans who said, "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."
The sheer magnitude of the occasion was universally acknowledged. The match, attended by a throng of 12,000 fans beneath the sparkling lights of the Eiffel Tower, provided memories that the players will cherish forever. "Playing underneath the lights, underneath the Eiffel Tower, which was sparkling – you can't replicate these types of memories that we'll have," Budinger added, capturing the essence of their Paris adventure.
An Admirable Athletic Journey
Chase Budinger's transition from basketball to beach volleyball has drawn admiration from peers and competitors alike. Norwegian player Anders Mol expressed his respect for Budinger's achievements, saying, "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." This admiration underscores the unique challenge Budinger faced and overcame in switching sports at an elite level.
Future Aspirations Amid Reflections
As the athletes took a contemplative moment to soak in the Parisian scene one last time, Evans reflected, "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.'"
Looking ahead, there is already speculation and optimism about the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, where the beach volleyball venue is planned for Santa Monica. "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 said, expressing a blend of hope and nostalgia. For Budinger, who will be approaching 40 years old by then, the question of participation 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," he remarked, leaving the door open for another Olympic chapter.
While their 2024 Paris campaign may have ended sooner than they had hoped, Chase Budinger and Miles Evans depart with their heads held high, enriched by memories and experiences that transcend the scoreboard.