Olympic Skater Denied ‘Minions’ Music Rights for Routine Days Before Games Start
Spanish athlete Tomas-Llorenc Guarino Sabate may have to find a new song to skate to at the Winter Olympics.
The 26-year-old figure skating champion, who is making his Olympic debut in Milan, said he’s been told he can’t perform his fan-favorite “Minions” routine after the music wasn’t cleared for copyright issues. He’s skated to the sounds of the pint-sized agents of chaos, while dressed in their signature uniform of a yellow shirt and blue overalls, throughout the season. He was informed on Friday that Universal Pictures, the studio behind the “Minions” film franchise, didn’t grant him permission to use the pitchy, energetic song. (Universal Pictures shares a parent company with NBC, which airs the Olympics.)
“This season I have competed with my ‘Minions’ routine to bring joy and a fun style to the ice, while complying with all of the obligatory elements and demonstrating that ice skating as a male Olympic figure skater can also be fun,” he wrote in a lengthy statement on his Instagram stories. Sabate noted that he “followed all required procedures and submitted my music through the ISU [International Skating Union] ClicknClear system back in August” and “competed with this program throughout the entire season.”
He continued, “Unfortunately, just days before the Olympic inauguration, I was informed that I am no longer permitted to use this program due to copyright clearance issues.”
Sabate has a week to find a new song for the short program before the men’s event starts on Feb. 10. International Skating Union said in a statement, “As soon as we have more details on this specific case, we will share them as appropriate.”
“I will face this challenge head-on and do everything I can to make the best of the situation,” he concluded. “I wish I had better news, but I’m grateful beyond words for your support this season. I promise to step on the ice with everything I have and deliver programs that both you and I can be proud of.”
The 26-year-old figure skating champion, who is making his Olympic debut in Milan, said he’s been told he can’t perform his fan-favorite “Minions” routine after the music wasn’t cleared for copyright issues. He’s skated to the sounds of the pint-sized agents of chaos, while dressed in their signature uniform of a yellow shirt and blue overalls, throughout the season. He was informed on Friday that Universal Pictures, the studio behind the “Minions” film franchise, didn’t grant him permission to use the pitchy, energetic song. (Universal Pictures shares a parent company with NBC, which airs the Olympics.)
“This season I have competed with my ‘Minions’ routine to bring joy and a fun style to the ice, while complying with all of the obligatory elements and demonstrating that ice skating as a male Olympic figure skater can also be fun,” he wrote in a lengthy statement on his Instagram stories. Sabate noted that he “followed all required procedures and submitted my music through the ISU [International Skating Union] ClicknClear system back in August” and “competed with this program throughout the entire season.”
He continued, “Unfortunately, just days before the Olympic inauguration, I was informed that I am no longer permitted to use this program due to copyright clearance issues.”
Sabate has a week to find a new song for the short program before the men’s event starts on Feb. 10. International Skating Union said in a statement, “As soon as we have more details on this specific case, we will share them as appropriate.”
“I will face this challenge head-on and do everything I can to make the best of the situation,” he concluded. “I wish I had better news, but I’m grateful beyond words for your support this season. I promise to step on the ice with everything I have and deliver programs that both you and I can be proud of.”