The step was too high. The old Chase Budingerpartnered with Miles Evans, sees his Olympic adventure come to an end. The American pair was eliminated in the round of 16 by the Norwegians (21-16, 21-14), Anders Mol and Christian Sorum, who were none other than the reigning Olympic champions.
This elimination does not take anything away from the experience lived by the former NBA player at the foot of the Eiffel Tower. Being at the Olympics, playing in that setting, will definitely be up there with my greatest basketball moments. “, says the former Rockets and Wolves player, quoted by ESPN.
The latter was marked ” by the cheers of 12,000 people. It was an incredible atmosphere. Playing under the lights, under the Eiffel Tower, which was sparkling, you can't duplicate those kinds of memories. »
Not to mention the fact of having crossed paths with former counterparts from the Major League, among the most illustrious like LeBron James and Kevin Durant. An NBA stint before a sporting reconversion that did not go unnoticed by his opponents.
Respect from opponents
” I have a lot of respect for Chase, who was able to play in the NBA for many years and was a great player there. And now he gets to play an Olympic sport for the United States, beach volleyball. Those two sports are very different. He's a very athletic guy. It's really cool. I have a lot of respect for that journey. “, greets Anders Mol.
Before leaving the sand, the American pair stayed there for a while, aware that it was their last in this idyllic setting which ” has exceeded all [leurs] hopes “She hopes to experience something similar in four years, in Los Angeles. The competition will be held in Santa Monica, halfway between the hometowns of Chase Budinger and Miles Evans.
Chase Budinger will then be 40 years old: “ I will be as old as the world. I always said that it was my body that decided. I evaluate year by year how I feel physically. Right now, I feel very good. »
