Spanish figure skater Tomàs-Llorenç Guarino Sabaté can now perform his popular Minions-themed short program at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina. There were concerns it wouldn’t be allowed due to copyright issues, but those have been resolved.
On February 6th, Sabaté announced he had obtained the necessary rights to use the music, allowing the highly anticipated performance to move forward throughout the 2025-2026 season. The routine, set to music from the Despicable Me and Minions movies, was almost cancelled due to concerns about music licensing just before the Games.
This skater is competing at the Olympics in Milan and Cortina for the first time, and his short program is getting a lot of attention. It’s known for being fun and different from other performances in the men’s singles competition.
Minions routine cleared after last-minute licensing reversal
The online community nicknamed the issue “Minionsgate.” It started on February 2nd when skater Sabaté learned he wasn’t allowed to use his program’s music at the Olympics, even though he’d performed it throughout the entire competitive season.
The main problem was getting permission to use the music, as Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment own the rights to it.
After first saying no, Universal Pictures changed its mind thanks to a popular social media campaign called #LetTheMinionSkate. Fans and skaters used the hashtag to ask that the routine be allowed, and just days later, Universal agreed, allowing it as a special, one-time event for the Olympic Games.
The approval came on the morning of February 6, only hours before Olympic events were set to begin.
Sabaté shared the good news on Instagram, saying she’s thrilled to confirm she’ll be able to perform her Minions program at the Olympics.
Deeply upsetting and unjust #lettheminionskate
— Lauretta Brown (@LaurettaBrown6) February 2, 2026
The ice skating program features a fun mix of songs from the Despicable Me and Minions movies, including Pharrell Williams’ “Freedom,” which was the last song approved for use. It begins with the Minions’ signature laughter, letting the audience know it’s going to be a lighthearted performance.
Despite its playful and fun nature, the skating program still meets all the official requirements set by the International Skating Union for short programs. Sabaté successfully completes all the necessary technical moves – like jumps, spins, and step sequences – all while staying in character as a Minion.
The way the routine looks has been key to its success. Sabaté wears a bright yellow shirt, jeans, and large glasses that resemble those worn by cartoon characters.
When the music cut out during rehearsals, he quickly changed back to a costume he’d worn before – a black-and-white outfit inspired by the Bee Gees. As soon as they got the music back, he switched back to the Minions costume.
I’m so excited to finally see the whole thing! Sabaté is bringing one of the most unique performances the Olympics has ever seen, and we’ll get to watch his full routine during the men’s short program on Tuesday, February 10th. I can’t wait!
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2026-02-07 23:49