In a dramatic turn of events that threatened to derail his Olympic moment, Spanish figure skater Tomas-Llorenc Guarino Sabate has secured the final copyright approval needed for his beloved Minions-themed short program. The breakthrough came just hours before the Olympic figure skating competition commenced at the Milan Cortina Games.
Last-Minute Copyright Drama Resolved
The Royal Spanish Ice Sports Federation announced Friday morning that the copyright issue had been successfully resolved, ending days of uncertainty for the skater. Sabate had been performing his fan-favorite routine throughout the competitive season, believing he had proper authorization through the ClicknClear system to use four musical selections from the popular animated franchise.
Universal's Unexpected Request
Last week, Universal Studios unexpectedly requested additional details about both the specific music cuts Sabate planned to use and his Minions-inspired competition costume. This created a potential crisis for the Spanish athlete, who faced the possibility of having to completely change his program at the eleventh hour.
The skater managed to quickly secure approval for two of the four musical pieces, and obtained a third by reaching out directly to the artist, who happens to be a fellow Spaniard. The final hurdle proved to be the song "Freedom" by American musician and producer Pharrell Williams.
Final Approval Arrives Just in Time
The crucial approval for the Pharrell Williams track finally arrived on Friday afternoon, approximately two hours before the Olympic figure skating program opened with the team event. This allowed Sabate to proceed with his planned performance when the men's competition begins on Tuesday night.
Remarkably, Sabate continued practicing his routine throughout the uncertainty, including during an early session on Thursday. His program opens with distinctive peels of laughter from the beloved Minions characters, creating a unique and entertaining presentation that has become his signature this season.
Broader Implications for Athletes and Copyright
This situation highlights the complex relationship between elite athletes and intellectual property rights in major international competitions. While athletes often seek to create memorable performances through popular music and themes, they must navigate increasingly complicated copyright landscapes.
The resolution demonstrates how direct communication between athletes, rights holders, and sports federations can overcome potential obstacles, even under tight deadlines. For Sabate, the approval means he can now focus entirely on his Olympic performance without the distraction of last-minute program changes.
As figure skating continues to evolve as both sport and entertainment, cases like this may prompt discussions about streamlining copyright processes for Olympic athletes while protecting the legitimate interests of content creators and rights holders.
