Budinger's Olympic Journey in Paris Comes to an End
Chase Budinger and partner Miles Evans faced an early exit from the 2024 Paris Olympics beach volleyball competition, bowing out in the Round of 16. The American duo was overpowered by the defending champions from Norway, Anders Mol and Christian Sorum, losing in straight sets, 21-16, 21-14.
Budinger's journey to the Olympics marks yet another remarkable chapter in his dynamic athletic career. Known to many as a former NBA player, Budinger's transition from the basketball court to the beach volleyball sand pits has been nothing short of extraordinary. Selected in the second round of the 2009 NBA Draft, Budinger initially made his mark with the Houston Rockets before being traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2012. His professional basketball career also saw stints with the Indiana Pacers and Phoenix Suns before he retired from the sport in 2017.
In search of a new challenge, Budinger embraced beach volleyball, and his determination led him and Evans to qualify for the Paris Olympics this June, triumphing in the crucial juncture by climbing the points rankings. Their Olympic campaign launched with a high note, securing a victory over a French duo. However, the tides turned against them as they succumbed to defeats against teams from the Netherlands and Spain in straight sets.
Nonetheless, their resolve remained unbroken, and they clinched their berth in the Round of 16 through the "lucky losers" round by defeating an Australian team. Despite the fierce competition, Budinger reflected on the unique experience of playing in such a prestigious venue. "Playing in the Olympics, playing in this venue, will definitely be up there with some of my greatest basketball moments, for sure," Budinger said. "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."
The Olympic journey for another American men's beach volleyball duo met a different fate. Miles Partain and Andrew Benesh made it through to the quarterfinals by defeating Italy's Samuele Cottafava and Paolo Nicolai in straight sets, 21-17, 21-18. This resilience and excellence put forth by Partain and Benesh continue to keep American hopes alive in the tournament.
For Budinger, the quest at the Paris Olympics might have ended, but the future remains open. "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 shared, a testament to his enduring passion for sports and competition.
Looking further ahead, the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics are set to bring the games closer to Budinger's roots in Carlsbad, Calif. Whether he will be competing or perhaps inspiring the next generation of athletes remains to be seen, but his journey serves as an inspiration for athletes making transformative career shifts.
The legacy of Anders Mol and Christian Sorum continued in Paris as they followed up their gold medal victory in the Tokyo Games with another dominant performance. Their display against Budinger and Evans confirmed their status as the embodiment of excellence in beach volleyball.
As the sand settles in Paris, the stories of triumph, resilience, and the unyielding spirit of competition endure. For Chase Budinger, the 2024 Paris Olympics will remain a cherished chapter filled with unforgettable memories, monumental efforts, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.