Figure skater Tomàs-Llorenç Guarino Sabaté gave an exciting update on his “Minions” program, after copyright clearance issues got in the way.

Minions will be at the 2026 Winter Olympics after all, thanks to Pharrell Williams (and more)

Figure skater Tomàs-Llorenç Guarino Sabaté gave an exciting update on his "Minions" program, after copyright clearance issues got in the way.

Joey Nolfi is a senior writer at *. *Since 2016, his work at EW includes *RuPaul's Drag Race* video interviews, Oscars predictions, and more.

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February 6, 2026 9:38 a.m. ET

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2026 Winter Olympics competitor Tomas-Llorenc Guarino Sabate; Pharell Williams. Credit:

Yuan Tian/NurPhoto via Getty; Cindy Ord/MG25/Getty

The Minions will be televised at the 2026 Winter Olympics — all reportedly thanks to Pharrell Williams, among others.

After Spanish athlete Tomàs-Llorenç Guarino Sabaté's *Despicable Me*-inspired figure skating routine slipped on a figurative banana upon running into copyright clearance issues just ahead of the Olympics, the competitor confirmed that he's in the clear to use music from the popular animated franchise.

"I am very happy to announce that we have made it: we have obtained the licenses for all four musical pieces, and I will be able to skate my *Minions* program at the Olympic Games," he announced Friday on Instagram. "It has not been an easy process, but the support from everyone who has followed my case has been essential in keeping me motivated and optimistic throughout these days."

Minions in 'Despicable Me 2'.

Illumination Entertainment

He went on to specifically thank *Despicable Me* and *Minions* distributor Universal Pictures (which also operates under the NBCUniversal umbrella — the same as Olympics broadcaster NBC), ClicknClear, RFEDH, as well as Sony Music, Juan Alcaraz, and *Despicable Me 2*'s Oscar-nominated "Happy" performer Williams for "managing the music rights in such a short period of time so that I can perform my program in Milan."

“Without everyone’s help, this would not have been possible. I would also like to thank the media for sharing my story and helping it reach so many people," he continued. “Right now, my only goal is to give my very best on the ice and deliver a program worthy of the affection I have received from people all around the world. I am deeply moved by the love shown to a small skater from a small federation."

He finished his statement by channeling the *Minions* universe, writing, "Poopaye!" at the end of the statement, referencing the yellow creatures' word for "goodbye."

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* *has reached out to representatives for the Olympics, the International Skating Union, Universal, and Williams for comment.

Earlier this year, Sabaté announced that he competed with his *Minions* short program in the run-up to the Winter Olympics in Italy, and "followed all required procedures and submitted my music" the correct way. He said he was eventually notified that he's "no longer permitted to use this program due to copyright clearance issues."

One of the songs Sabaté performed to in his routine is "Papaya (Vaya Papayas)," a song by the aforementioned Alcaraz, and features Minions singing about various types of fruits.

Sabaté previously took to the ice with the arrangement while wearing a Minion-esque outfit, including a yellow shirt and blue overalls.

The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games run from Feb. 6-22 in Italy.

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