An Olympic Journey Cut Short: Budinger and Evans Bow Out in Paris
An Olympic Journey Cut Short: Budinger and Evans Bow Out in Paris
Chase Budinger's multifaceted athletic career witnessed another chapter at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Unfortunately, this chapter ended sooner than hoped as Budinger and his beach volleyball partner, Miles Evans, were eliminated in the Round of 16. They fell to the defending Norwegian champions, Anders Mol and Christian Sorum, in straight sets of 21-16 and 21-14.
For Budinger, whose career began on the hardwood, the transition to beach volleyball has been nothing short of remarkable. Selected in the second round of the 2009 NBA Draft, he played for the Houston Rockets before being traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2012. His journey also took him to the Indiana Pacers and Phoenix Suns before retiring from professional basketball in 2017. Yet, his competitive spirit found new life on the sandy courts of beach volleyball.
The journey to Paris was a rigorous one. Budinger and Evans qualified for the Olympics in June after rising through the points rankings, capping their ascent with a victory that solidified their spot. Their Olympic campaign began promisingly with a win over a French duo, setting the stage for what they hoped would be a deep run. However, subsequent losses to teams from the Netherlands and Spain in straight sets darkened their prospects. A determined performance in the "lucky losers" round against an Australian team earned them a place in the Round of 16.
Playing at one of the globe's most iconic venues, with the Eiffel Tower shimmering overhead, Budinger's excitement was palpable. "Playing in the Olympics, playing in this venue, will definitely be up there with some of my greatest basketball moments, for sure," Budinger reflected. "My first couple of matches, stepping onto the court with 12,000 people cheering ... it was just an incredible atmosphere. Playing underneath the lights, underneath the Eiffel Tower, which was sparkling -- you can't replicate these types of memories that we'll have."
Despite their early exit, Budinger and Evans' journey offers a testament to perseverance and the spirit of competition. Competing against the best, including Mol and Sorum, who claimed gold in the Tokyo Games, underscores the high level of talent at the Olympic stage.
Another American duo, Miles Partain and Andrew Benesh, managed to push through to the quarterfinals, defeating Italy's Samuele Cottafava and Paolo Nicolai in straight sets of 21-17 and 21-18. This offers a glimmer of hope and continued interest for American fans invested in the sport.
Budinger's reflections on his journey hint at a deep sense of fulfillment, regardless of the outcome. "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 mused, suggesting that this might not be his final chapter in competitive sports.
Looking forward, the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, anticipated to be held in Santa Monica, may offer Budinger and Evans another shot at glory. For now, their journey in Paris stands as a significant achievement — one more defining moment in the ever-evolving career of a distinguished athlete from Carlsbad, Calif.
Budinger and Evans have shown that with determination and hard work, boundaries between sports can be transcended. Their story remains an inspiration, spotlighting the diverse pathways an athletic career can traverse.
