Skater Adjusts Routine Just Days Before Olympics Due to Music Change
Tomas-Llorenc Guarino Sabaté on Jan. 15, 2026.
Credit:
Yuan Tian/NurPhoto via Getty
NEED TO KNOW
- Spanish figure skater Tomàs-Llorenç Guarino Sabaté revealed that his music from the Minions movie was not cleared for copyright just days ahead of the Winter Olympics.
- Sabaté, who claims he “followed all required procedures and submitted” the music through an official system back in August, assured fans he will still “step on the ice with everything I have.”
- Fans on social media expressed their discontent regarding the Minions music not being cleared, with one user writing, “Let the minion skate!”
A Spanish figure skater is in a race against time to modify his Olympic routine after facing copyright issues with music from the Minions movie.
As the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics are set to commence on Friday, Feb. 6, Tomàs-Llorenç Guarino Sabaté shared this “incredibly disappointing” news in a social media post on Monday, Feb. 2.
The 26-year-old skater elaborated, stating, “This season I competed with my Minions short program to bring joy and a playful style to the ice while still meeting every required element to show that skating as a male Olympic figure skater can be fun.”
Tomas-Llorenc Guarino Sabaté on Jan. 15, 2026.
Yuan Tian/NurPhoto via Getty
Sabaté, who will make his Olympic debut in Milan, indicated that he had submitted his music through the ISU ClicknClear system as required back in August, and had used this program throughout the season.
He expressed his disappointment, explaining, “Unfortunately, just days before the Olympic inauguration, I was informed that I am no longer permitted to use this program due to copyright clearance issues.”
Having learned of the copyright complication “last Friday, so close to the biggest competition of my life,” Sabaté labeled the decision “incredibly disappointing.”
He pledged to tackle the situation head-on, stating, “Nevertheless, I will face this challenge and do everything I can to make the best of the situation. I wish I had better news, but I’m grateful beyond words for your support this season. I promise to step on the ice with everything I have and deliver programs that both you and I can be proud of.”
Fans on the platform X expressed their frustration over the ruling, with one comment stating, “Let the minion skate!”
Another user questioned, “Are these people not full of joy & whimsy?” while someone else humorously noted, “Well. There it goes. The last thing in the world that brought me joy.”
Some fans were left puzzled about why the Minions music was not cleared by NBC, asking for clarification. “Minions are owned by Illumination, which is owned by NBC, who has the exclusive TV rights to the Olympics…. @nbc make it make sense!!!!,” one fan wrote.
