Figure skater Tomas-Llorenc Guarino Sabate has announced that he has been forced into a last-minute change to his program just days out from the Winter Olympics.
The Spanish skater, who will be competing at the Milan-Cortina Olympic games, has become a fan favorite thanks to his playful skate to music from the Despicable Me franchise.
On the road to Milan-Cortina, Guarino Sabate has competed to music featuring The Minions’ rendition of the Universal theme song and Papaya remix, while channelling the beloved cartoon characters in a yellow and blue overalls costume.
However, fans won’t have the pleasure of enjoying the spirited and lively performance when the Spaniard takes to the ice at the Winter Olympics, which begin this Friday.
The 26-year-old announced on social media that he has been banned from using the iconic song at the sporting extravaganza in Italy due to copyright infringement.
‘I followed all required procedures and submitted my music through the ISU ClicknClear system back in August, and I competed with this program throughout the entire season,’ he wrote.
Tomas-Llorenc Guarino Sabate announced he has been banned from skating to a certain song
The Spanish figure skater will be unable to compete to music from The Minions at the Olympics
‘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. Finding this out last Friday, so close to the biggest competition of my life, was incredibly disappointing.’
To make matters worse for Guarino Sabate, he was informed of the decision just one week out from the games getting underway.
The men’s Olympic program begins on February 10, leaving him scrambling for new music to skate to.
‘Nevertheless, I will face this challenge head-on and do everything I can to make the best of the situation,’ he added.
‘To my fans: 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.’
While Guarino Sabate is remaining resilient, Olympics fans were left up in arms at the setback as they furiously hit back at the ruling.
Many took to social media to urge organizers to ‘let the minion skate,’ as they passionately supported Guarino Sabate.
‘Are these people not full of joy & whimsy let the minion skate !!’ one fan raged.
Guarino Sabate has competed to music featuring The Minions’ rendition of the Universal theme
His free program for this season has been set to a Medley of songs by The Bee Gees
‘Well. There it goes. The last thing in the world that brought me joy,’ another posted.
Meanwhile, others petitioned Universal, which owns Illumination, the animation studio of Despicable Me, as well as NBC, the official US broadcaster of the Olympics, to give their consent for Guarino Sabate to skate to the music.
‘Minions are owned by Illumination, which is owned by NBC, who has the exclusive TV rights to the Olympics…. @nbc make it make sense!!!!,’ one user claimed.
Another said: ‘@illumination it would be really great PR for you guys if you stepped in to approve this!!’
‘@UniversalPics let him use the minions music you absolute cowards!!! Disgusting. Boycotting universal until I see figure skating to minions,’ posted a third.
He is not the only skater heading to the Olympics this year who has been plagued by clearance issues for music.
Reigning world champion Alysa Liu recently revealed that she’s unlikely to perform to Lady Gaga’s ‘Bloody Mary.’ Liu used the 2011 hit at the 2026 US Figure Skating Championships and locked in her ticket to Milan-Cortina.
