Minions on Ice: Spanish Skater Secures Olympic Approval After Copyright Battle
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A last-minute scramble to secure music licensing rights has cleared the way for Spanish figure skater Tomas-Llorenc Guarino Sabate to perform his highly anticipated short program, set to a medley of songs from the Minions franchise, at the Milan Cortina Games. After a week of uncertainty, Sabate received final approval on Friday, just hours before the Olympic figure skating program commenced with the team event.
A Fan Favorite Program Faces hurdles
Sabate had been performing the crowd-pleasing program throughout the season,initially believing he had the necessary permissions through ClicknClear,a music licensing system. Though, last week, Universal Studios requested further details regarding the specific music cuts and the Minions-inspired costume sabate had been wearing during his performances.
While approvals for two music selections came quickly,securing rights for a third required direct outreach to the Spanish artist. The final obstacle proved to be “Freedom” by American musician and producer Pharrell Williams. The skater announced the resolution on social media,stating,”I’m so happy to announce that we’ve done it! We’ve secured the licenses for all four songs,and I’ll be able to skate the Minions at the Olympic Games.” He acknowledged the challenging process, emphasizing the crucial role of public support in maintaining his motivation.
The Evolving Landscape of Music Rights in figure Skating
This situation highlights a growing issue within the world of competitive figure skating. For years, skaters primarily utilized instrumental music, frequently enough considered public domain. However, a rule change in 2014 allowing the use of music with lyrics has led to increased scrutiny from artists and copyright holders.
“The copyright issue has become a big problem,” one analyst noted, “as artists now seek to protect their work from unauthorized use in high-profile events.” Sabate himself was prepared to revert to a program set to Bee Gees music as a contingency,demonstrating the potential disruption caused by these licensing challenges.
Sabate is not alone in facing these hurdles. Belgian skater Loena Hendrickx, a two-time world medalist, also encountered copyright concerns. Initially planning to skate to “Ashes” by Celine Dion from Deadpool 2, her team proactively switched to “I Surrender,” also by Dion, after concerns arose about licensing approval following the European championships. Hendrickx was able to secure rights for the choice track through ClicknClear’s existing catalog.
A Boost for the underdog
Despite being ranked 20th at last year’s World Championships, Sabate anticipates significant support when he takes to the ice on Tuesday night. He expressed gratitude for the outpouring of encouragement, stating, “Right now, I just want to give my all on the ice and perform a program worthy of the love I’ve received from around the world.I’m thrilled by the love that a small skater from a small federation has received.”
The skater’s journey underscores the increasing complexities of navigating music rights in the modern era of figure skating, and his successful resolution offers a hopeful precedent for athletes seeking to bring their creative visions to the Olympic stage.
AP Winter Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics
