Universal & Minions Music: Olympian Controversy

Olympic Upset: Fan Outcry Saves Figure Skater’s ‘Minions’ Routine

A heartwarming victory for athletes and fans alike unfolded this week as Olympic figure skating and the universally beloved Minions unexpectedly converged. Spanish skater Tomás‑Llorenç Guarino Sabaté, a six-time national champion, was granted permission to proceed with a unique routine just days before his olympic debut in Milan, Italy, after a last-minute copyright dispute threatened to derail his performance.

Guarino Sabaté had meticulously planned a short program featuring both a costume inspired by the iconic yellow characters and music from the Despicable Me franchise. He had secured preliminary approval for the music months prior and practiced the routine extensively. Though, just days before the games where set to begin, Universal Studios informed him that the music rights were no longer cleared for use.

“Finding this out last Friday, so close to the most critically important competition of my life, was incredibly disappointing,” Guarino Sabaté shared online. “To my fans,I wish I had better news,but I am profoundly grateful for your support this season.” the sudden reversal would have forced the skater to create an entirely new routine on extremely short notice, a near-impractical task at the highest level of competition.

Did you know? – Tomás‑Llorenç Guarino Sabaté is a six-time Spanish national champion in figure skating, representing Spain at the Winter Olympics. he began skating at age five and has competed internationally for several years.

But the skater’s supporters refused to accept defeat. A wave of outrage and solidarity quickly spread across social media, attracting both existing and new fans. multiple news outlets picked up the story, amplifying the call for Universal to reconsider. According to guarino Sabaté, this overwhelming public support ultimately prompted the company to reverse its decision.

“Huge thank you to everyone who reposted,shared and supported,” Guarino Sabaté posted on instagram stories. “As of you Universal Studios reconsidered and officially granted the rights for this one special occasion.” He acknowledged that some minor issues remain, but expressed confidence they would be resolved shortly.

Pro tip – Copyright disputes in athletic performances are common, especially regarding music. Athletes often secure rights well in advance, but approvals can be revoked due to unforeseen circumstances or licensing changes.

https://twitter.com/AnythingGOE/status/1753879987848999092
A tweet from @AnythingGOE confirms the news, highlighting the power of fan advocacy.

https://twitter.com/ReenieOnIce/status/1753880849949798403
A post from @ReenieOnIce showcases a clip of the routine and expresses frustration over the initial rights issue.

While Guarino Sabaté is not considered a top contender for a medal, the incident has undoubtedly drawn significant attention to his performance. According to USA Today, the skater is scheduled to perform on Tuesday

Reader question – Do you think social media pressure should influence copyright decisions in cases like this? What role do fans play in supporting athletes facing challenges?

Why did this happen? Spanish figure skater Tomás‑Llorenç Guarino Sabaté faced a last-minute copyright dispute with Universal Studios over the use of music from the Despicable Me franchise in his Olympic short program. He had initially received approval for the music months prior,but the rights were revoked just days before his debut.

Who was involved? The key