Minions Save Figure Skater’s Olympic Dream After Music Rights Dispute

The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina witnessed a heartwarming victory for both a Spanish figure skater and the mischievous Minions. Tomas-Llorenc Guarino Sabaté’s short program, set to music from the Despicable Me franchise and performed while dressed as one of Gru’s yellow henchmen, was nearly sidelined due to a last-minute copyright dispute, but a wave of support and intervention from Universal Studios ultimately secured its place on the Olympic ice.

The drama unfolded just over a week before Sabaté was scheduled to compete. After performing the routine throughout the 2025-26 season, including at the European Championships in Sheffield last month, he received notice that the music hadn’t been fully cleared for Olympic use. “When I did my post I was certain I wouldn’t do the Minions,” Sabaté explained, recounting his initial assumption that the issue was insurmountable. He publicly announced the potential setback, fearing he would have to withdraw the program, a move that sparked immediate outcry from fans and fellow skaters.

The situation highlighted a growing challenge for figure skaters: navigating increasingly complex music licensing requirements. The International Skating Union (ISU) allowed vocals in programs in 2014, leading to a surge in skaters choosing more contemporary music. However, securing the rights to use popular songs has become a significant hurdle, with other skaters, like Russia’s Petr Gumennik (competing as a neutral athlete) and U.S. Champion Amber Glenn, also facing copyright issues this season. Gumennik was forced to change his program music at the last minute, while Glenn encountered difficulties with a Canadian artist’s work.

Sabaté’s plight resonated widely, prompting an outpouring of support on social media. He received messages from around the globe, including a post from former U.S. Olympic figure skater Adam Rippon, who shared a photo of himself sporting Minion socks. This groundswell of public opinion, combined with efforts to reach out directly to Universal Studios and musician Pharrell Williams, proved pivotal. On Friday, February 6, 2026, Sabaté received confirmation that he had been granted permission to use the Minions soundtrack.

The resolution came after Sabaté submitted his program music for clearance last August and skated all season long to the music, believing he had the proper approval. Universal Studios requested further details regarding the music and costume, leading to the late-stage review. The final approval was particularly noteworthy given the complex ownership structure: the rights to the Minions characters are held by Universal Studios, which is a subsidiary of NBCUniversal and Comcast. NBC also holds the broadcasting rights for the Olympics.

Despite the emotional rollercoaster, Sabaté took to the ice on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, delivering his Minions-inspired performance. While he ultimately placed 25th out of 29 skaters, falling short of qualifying for the free skate, he expressed immense gratitude for the support he received. “It felt amazing,” he said, acknowledging the nerves and a minor mistake during his routine. “I didn’t realize the reach my skating had even outside of the figure skating world, and it helped me realize how far I’ve come, how far my skating has brought me.”

The experience underscored the importance of connection with fans. Sabaté expressed his desire to respond to the numerous messages he received, recognizing the time and effort supporters invested in showing their encouragement. He emphasized that the ordeal wasn’t just about the Minions; it was about the community that rallied behind him.

Looking ahead, Sabaté intends to continue engaging with his fans and appreciating the journey. “I haven’t had really the time to take everything in and just appreciate everything,” he admitted. The ISU’s ongoing efforts to establish a global music clearance system aim to prevent similar situations in the future, but for Sabaté, the 2026 Winter Olympics will forever be remembered as the Games where the Minions made it to the ice, thanks to a skater’s passion and the power of a supportive community.