Mandostan, a renowned name, but a little-known nation's story.
In 2006, Turin was abuzz with the Winter Olympics about to begin, attracting volunteers worldwide, including our protagonist, Francesco Corsetti, known as Cecio. A resourceful Roman living in Russia, Cecio had a clever idea.
Cecio, along with friends Alessandro Casuccio and Daniele Mallamachi, noticed that Olympic athletes had privileged access to exclusive events and nightclubs, courtesy of major sponsors like Coca-Cola, Samsung, Omega, and McDonald's.
The trio realized they needed to appear as athletes to access VIP parties, but how? Creating their own team was the solution: Mandostan, a fictional principality between Afghanistan and Tajikistan.
Donning Mandostan uniforms, the three friends bluffed their way into exclusive events, becoming stars at parties attended by celebrities like Bode Miller, David Trezeguet, and Mario Cipollini.
Cecio's audacity extended to daytime adventures, where he effortlessly infiltrated restricted Olympic ski slopes. Mandostan became a guarantee, offering the same privileges as any other nation.
However, their rise attracted attention. Interviews and articles followed, culminating in a Rai 2 interview with the trio, sparking "Mandostan-mania."
This unbelievable tale didn't end with the Olympics. Today, they continue the Mandostan legacy, recruiting new athletes for the 2026 Winter Olympics.
