Figure Skater’s Olympic Dream Put on Ice by Minions Music Rights

Spanish figure skater Tomàs-Llorenç Guarino Sabaté has received a last-minute shakeup to his Olympic debut, as Minions music rights have put his short program routine in jeopardy. The six-time Spanish national champion was informed late last week that his signature routine, with music from the popular animated film franchise, would not be cleared for Olympic use.

From Minions to Music mondegreen

Guarino Sabaté had been performing the routine, featuring yellow shirts and blue overalls reminiscent of the Minions, throughout the 2025-26 season without issue. “Finding this out so close to the biggest competition of my life was incredibly disappointing,” he said in a social media post. “Nevertheless, I will face this challenge head-on and do everything I can to make the best of the situation.”

“It’s a complex issue, frankly, because the music industry has no common clearance platform. There are multiple buckets of rights, and within those buckets the clearance process isn’t done on a single platform. Tracking tools have improved, but the facilitated process just isn’t there.”

– Colin Smith, ISU Director-General

Music licensing labyrinth in sports

Music licensing in figure skating has become increasingly challenging, with rights to popular music controlled by various studios and labels. Even elite athletes have faced late-stage legal or financial complications with their music choices. In 2022, American pairs champions Alexa Knierim and Brandon Frazier were hit with a copyright lawsuit tied to their use of a cover version of House of the Rising Sun.

ISU’s multi-pronged approach to address music rights issues

ISU Director-General Colin Smith acknowledged the complexities of music licensing in sports, stating that the organization is working collaboratively with rights clearance stakeholders to find a practical solution. “We’re really trying to find a rational, practical solution,” Smith said.

Guarino Sabaté’s potential fallback options

With little time for rehearsal under competition conditions, Guarino Sabaté must now adapt or replace his choreography. One potential fallback could involve returning to music from previous seasons, though this may come with its own set of complications if similar artists or tracks are already tied to other programs or require new clearance.

Men’s singles event at the Milano Cortina Winter Games

The men’s singles event is scheduled to begin on 10 February at the Milano Ice Skating Arena, leaving Guarino Sabaté with limited time to adjust his program. Despite the setback, he remains determined to compete, expressing gratitude for fan support throughout the season.

“I promise to step on the ice with everything I have and deliver programs that both you and I can be proud of.”

– Tomàs-Llorenç Guarino Sabaté

FAQ: Music licensing in figure skating

• Why are music licensing issues suddenly surfacing in figure skating?
  
  As the sport shifts toward contemporary popular music, athletes are increasingly encountering complex licensing requirements and labyrinthine rights control.
• What can athletes and coaches do to avoid music rights complications?
  
  Work closely with event organizers and federations to ensure they understand and comply with music licensing requirements before competition.

While the unexpected hurdle ukai add a wrinkle to Guarino Sabaté’s Olympic debut, he remains committed to delivering a spectacular performance.

Stay tuned to 247Sports.News for more updates on the Milano Cortina Winter Games and the thrilling world of figure skating!

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