### Minions Make Their Olympic Debut: Spanish Skater Secures Music Rights Spanish figure skater Tomas-Llorenc Guarino Sabate has successfully navigated a complex copyright issue to secure the rights to perform his Minions-themed routine at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics. Initially facing uncertainty over music permissions, Sabate received the final approval just hours before his scheduled performance, allowing him to showcase a medley from the popular animated franchise. This development marks a significant moment for both the skater and the Minions, who will now have their Olympic moment after all [https://celebrity.land/olympic-skater-receives-final-decision-on-minions-routine]. ### Breakdown of the Situation: Approval Process and Challenges 1. **Initial Approval and Delays**: - Sabate had been performing his Minions routine throughout the season, believing he had the necessary permissions. However, Universal Studios requested additional details, leading to a delay in final approvals [https://apnews.com/article/milan-cortina-olympics-minions-figure-skating-13fad5e3aacb665e9d4ded1e892a0b68]. 2. **Final Approval Received**: - On February 6, 2026, Sabate announced that he had secured the rights to perform his routine, including a medley of songs from the Minions franchise, just in time for the men's competition [https://abcnews.go.com/entertainment/wirestory/minions-olympic-moment-spanish-figure-skater-gets-final-129911224]. 3. **Public and Fan Support**: - Throughout the approval process, Sabate expressed gratitude for the support he received from fans, which played a crucial role in resolving the copyright issues [https://www.nbcnewyork.com/olympics/minions-music-figure-skating-sabate-controversy/6456263]. ### Evidence of the Controversy and Resolution - **Timeline of Events**: - February 5, 2026: Sabate was still awaiting clearance for Pharrell Williams' "Freedom," which was causing delays in the approval process [https://apnews.com/article/milan-cortina-olympics-figure-skating-0e34ce9efa0e98c0a02da95f45ef9559]. - February 6, 2026: Final approval was granted, allowing Sabate to perform his routine [https://www.huffpost.com/entry/olympic-skater-minions-final-decision_n_69860693e4b06f7f7bb9284c]. - **Impact of Copyright Issues**: - The situation highlighted ongoing challenges in figure skating regarding music rights, with other skaters also facing similar issues [https://www.sportico.com/leagues/olympics/2026/minions-figure-skater-music-approval-tomas-guarino-1234883726]. ### Conclusion: A Triumph for Sabate and the Minions **Tomas-Llorenc Guarino Sabate's successful acquisition of music rights for his Minions-themed routine is a significant victory, not only for him but also for the animated franchise.** 1. **Final Approval**: Sabate received the necessary permissions just before his performance, ensuring he could compete with his chosen music [https://www.macombdaily.com/2026/02/06/minions-figure-skater-olympics]. 2. **Fan Support**: The backing from fans was instrumental in navigating the copyright challenges [https://www.unilad.com/news/sport/winter-olympics-minions-skater-tomas-llorenc-guarino-sabate-latest-381750-20260206]. 3. **Broader Implications**: This incident underscores the complexities of music rights in competitive figure skating, a topic that may require further attention from governing bodies [https://www.sportingnews.com/uk/culture/news/minions-winter-olympics-controversy-figure-skating-music/4283a05793df04c484321494]. In summary, the Minions will indeed have their moment on the Olympic stage, thanks to Sabate's perseverance and the resolution of the copyright issues that threatened to sideline his performance.