Figure skater saved from scrapping Olympic routine after Minions music copyright dispute

February 3, 2026

TL;DR

Tomàs-Llorenç Guarino Sabaté, a Spanish figure skater, resolved a copyright dispute preventing him from using Minions music for his Olympic short program.
Universal Studios granted permission after fans rallied on social media, allowing Guarino Sabaté to use the music for the Milano Cortina Winter Games.
The International Skating Union (ISU) acknowledges music licensing as a complex issue within the sport, lacking a unified clearance platform.
Other athletes, including Canadian ice dancers Marie-Jade Lauriault and Romain Le Gac, have faced similar music clearance challenges.
A previous copyright lawsuit involving American skaters Alexa Knierim and Brandon Frazier underscored the financial and legal risks of music selection.
The ISU is working with the music industry and other sports to find a more streamlined music licensing solution.
Guarino Sabaté's short program, featuring music from the Minions franchise, is a signature routine he performs with a Minions-inspired costume.

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