OLYMPICS: Figure skating-Guarino Sabate given green light to use Minions music

MILAN – Spanish figure skater Tomas-Llorenc Guarino Sabate will be allowed to perform to music from the Minions film franchise in the men's short program at the Olympics, after Universal Studios reversed its earlier objection.

Guarino Sabate had revealed on Monday that a copyright issue would prevent him from using the music, despite performing with it throughout the season.

"Huge thank you to everyone who reposted, shared, and supported," he wrote on social media Tuesday. "Because of you, Universal Studios reconsidered and officially granted the rights for this one special occasion. There are still a couple of things to be tied up with the other two pieces of music, but we are so close to accomplishing it! And it's all thanks to you."

The program features a montage of four songs, including Vicious Funk by Heitor Pereira and Freedom by Pharrell Williams. Guarino Sabate had submitted the music through the ISU ClicknClear system in August and only learned about the copyright issue on Friday.

For his performance, the 26-year-old skater will wear a yellow t-shirt and blue overalls to resemble the popular animated characters. He said he chose the music to bring joy and show that "skating as a male Olympic figure skater can be fun."

"I'm so happy to see that the Minions hitting Olympic ice is becoming real again!!" he added. "I'll keep you posted!"

The International Skating Union said copyright clearances can be challenging for all artistic sports. "While the ISU does not have a contractual relationship with ClicknClear, we continue to work collaboratively with rights clearance stakeholders to ensure that thrilling performances can be accompanied by stirring music," the union said Monday.

-Reporting by Lori Ewing; Additional reporting by Rory Carroll; Editing by Pritha Sarkar/Reuters