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After Last-Minute Clearance, Spain’s ‘Minions’ Skater Misses Olympic Cut

The episode has intensified scrutiny of figure skating’s fragmented music‑licensing process.

Overview

  • Tomàs‑Llorenc Guarino Sabaté scored 69.80 in the men’s short program in Milan, finishing 25th and missing the free skate by one place.
  • Full permission arrived Friday after Universal Pictures and Pharrell Williams reversed course, with the initial holdup tied to the Minions version of the Universal Fanfare.
  • Music‑licensing service ClicknClear said it covered Guarino’s fees, totaling in the four figures, and the skater said he received no compensation from the Minions franchise.
  • Other athletes confronted similar issues, including Petr Gumennik switching music days before competition and Amber Glenn resolving a dispute with Canadian artist Seb McKinnon.
  • The ISU says skaters are responsible for clearances and is working with stakeholders, a challenge heightened since lyrics were broadly allowed in 2014 and rights often span multiple owners and uses.