American beach volleyball duo Chase Budinger and Miles Evans faced a challenging journey at the Paris Summer Games, ultimately bowing out in the lucky loser stage after an intense series of matches. Their exit came at the hands of Norwegian champions Anders Mol and Christian Sorum, who dominated the match with scores of 21-16 and 21-14.
The path to Paris was anything but straightforward for Budinger and Evans. After claiming victory against France in their initial match, their momentum was halted by successive defeats to the Netherlands and Spain. Despite these setbacks, they fought their way into the lucky loser stage, where they met their formidable Norwegian opponents.
This Olympic outing was particularly significant for Chase Budinger. Previously an NBA player for seven years, Budinger’s transition from hardwood to sand was notable. Reflecting on his Olympic experience, Budinger shared, "Playing in the Olympics, playing in this venue, will definitely be up there with some of my greatest basketball moments, for sure."
The partnership between Budinger and Evans was a relatively new one, beginning at the start of the two-year Olympic qualifying season. They narrowly secured enough points to compete in Paris, only confirming their spot in the final moments of June, mere weeks before the Games commenced. The duo's perseverance and determination were evident as they faced some of the world's best teams in the heart of Paris.
Highlighting the unforgettable atmosphere, the pair played beneath the iconic Eiffel Tower, with a crowd of 12,000 fans creating an electrifying environment. Miles Evans expressed his excitement, saying, "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."
Their Norwegian rivals also took notice of Budinger’s unique athletic journey. Anders Mol voiced his admiration, "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."
As they prepared to leave the iconic Parisian venue, both Budinger and Evans took a moment to reflect on their remarkable experience. 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.'" The magnitude of participating in such a unique event was not lost on them, leaving indelible memories that will endure long after the Games.
Looking ahead to the 2028 Olympics, set to take place in Los Angeles with beach volleyball planned for Santa Monica, there's a mix of hope and realism. Budinger, who will be approaching 40 years old, remains optimistic but measured about his future in the sport. "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.
For Evans, the experiences at the Paris Olympics have set a high bar for future aspirations. "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, encapsulating the duo's sentiments on this chapter of their journey.
While their time in Paris ended sooner than hoped, the stories, lessons, and memories they carry forward from one of the grandest stages in sports will undoubtedly fuel their passion and resolve, both on and off the sand.