Tomàs-Llorenç Guarino Sabaté has become a fan favorite figure skater thanks to a routine he does inspired by the Minions from the “Despicable Me” movies. With the Winter Olympics just around the corner, it was assumed that the act would be part of the Spanish skater’s performance. However, on February 2nd, Guarino Sabaté said he wouldn’t be able to do it due to copyright issues with Universal.
Thankfully, it seems that online pressure prompted the company to reconsider this decision. The skater announced this morning that he would be given a special expectation given the circumstances.
“Finding this out last Friday, so close to the most important competition of my life, was incredibly disappointing,” the six-time champion originally said on Instagram (via USA Today). “To my fans, I wish I had better news, but I am profoundly grateful for your support this season.”
The Minion Skates On
Then the internet did its thing alongside the figure skating community, bringing up long-standing issues over music during the Olympics.
“Huge THANK YOU to everyone who reposted, shared, and supported Because of you, Universal Studios reconsidered and officially granted the rights for this one special occasion. There are still a couple things to be tied up with the other 2 musics of the program but we are so close to accomplishing it! AND IT’S ALL THANKS TO YOU!!,” he posted as a story on February 3rd on Instagram. “I’m so happy to see that the minions hitting Olympic ice is becoming real again!! I’ll keep you posted!”
This will be Sabaté’s first time competing in the Winter Olympics. He is currently on track to perform the Minions routine during the men’s short program on Tuesday, February 10th. The opening ceremonies are set to kick off Friday, February 6th on NBC.
You can read his victory post below:
