Spanish figure skater Tomàs-Llorenç Guarino Sabaté will officially perform his viral Minions short program at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics after a last-minute copyright scare threatened to derail the routine. Sabaté confirmed on February 6 that he had secured permission to use the music, clearing the way for the performance that has drawn global attention throughout the 2025–2026 season. The routine, which features music from the Despicable Me and Minions franchises, had been in doubt after rights issues emerged shortly before the Games. The skater is making his Olympic debut in Milano Cortina, channeling the chaotic energy of the yellow pill-shaped villains with a custom costume, precise spins, and playful choreography that’s already racked up millions of views on social media.

What started as a bold creative risk at earlier competitions like the 2025 Grand Prix Final has turned into a breakout moment for the 20-year-old Spaniard. Dressed head-to-toe as a Minion—complete with goggles, overalls, and that unmistakable grin—Sabaté blends technical prowess (think triple axels and intricate footwork) with pure fun, earning standing ovations and memes galore. Universal Pictures, owners of the Minions IP, stepped in after fan backlash to the potential ban, granting the necessary license just in time.

This Minion magic could steal the show in the men's singles short program, scheduled for February 14. Will it propel Sabaté to the podium? One thing's for sure: in a sport often stiff with tradition, this cheeky dodge of copyright doom reminds us that sometimes, a little banana-fueled absurdity is the real gold.