As mayor of Frankfurt am Main and the city’s sports commissioner, Mike Josef is closely involved in everything that drives this city of sport. He played football in his youth, but today he takes great pleasure in experiencing all forms of sport — from grassroots to the world’s elite. In the run-up to the Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships, he explains Frankfurt’s particular strengths as a host city and its enthusiasm for this unique sport.
Frankfurt am Main sees itself as a compact metropolis with international appeal. In your view, what makes the city a particularly suitable venue for the Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships?
Frankfurt is a city of contrasts—and that is exactly why it has a special affinity for rhythmic gymnastics. The sport thrives on opposites: strength and elegance, dynamism and precision, flowing movements and pinpoint peak performance. What appears effortless on the floor is, in reality, the result of enormous discipline and body control. The same is true of our city: Frankfurt combines international flair with down-to-earth charm, history with modernity, and brings together the most diverse realities of life in a remarkably relaxed atmosphere. Despite its relatively small size, a wide variety of lifestyles converge here and sometimes connect where you least expect it. It is precisely this mix that makes Frankfurt an ideal setting for such an international and extraordinary sporting event.
If you could give guests just one “Frankfurt moment” in August, what would it be?
Firstly I would take inspiration from the regional and international culture — for example, at the Kleinmarkthalle, the weekly market, or in the unassuming side streets of the city’s neighbourhoods. Then, with my bags full to the brim, I’d sit down on the banks of the Main. There, in the sun, with a view of the skyline, is the perfect way to view the city’s hustle and bustle. This moment brings together much of what makes Frankfurt special: simple pleasures, international flair, tranquility and a unique atmosphere that balances urban dynamism with relaxed camaraderie. And for those who wish, it’s not far from there to one of the museums, one of Sachsenhausen’s traditional pubs, or the Hafenpark for a lively end to the day.
The Championships are in high demand, and the finals are already sold out: What does this say about the enthusiasm for sport in Frankfurt am Main, and how can as many people as possible still be part of this event?
The high demand for the Championships clearly demonstrates the importance of sport in Frankfurt— and this extends beyond individual disciplines. Nearly half of all Frankfurt residents are members of a gymnastics or sports club, and there is also a wide range of independently organised training opportunities. At major events, we regularly witness impressive enthusiasm and great respect for the athletes’ performances. Even for those who aren’t in the arena, there are numerous ways to be part of this event - for example, through accompanying programmes like the “World Championships Show: Wonderful World of Gymnastics”, or by attending one of the side events in the city. The World Championships will be felt throughout Frankfurt.
Rhythmic gymnastics combines top-level performance with aesthetics. Do you see any parallels between this sport and Frankfurt am Main as a city?
Frankfurt never stands still, yet it has its very own rhythm. Perhaps that is the most beautiful parallel to rhythmic gymnastics. Amid the skyscrapers, along the Main River, and in the city’s neighbourhoods, new perspectives are constantly emerging: early in the day, small, unique shops and restaurants invite personal interaction; later, the impressive skyline draws crowds to the Museumsufer; and in the evening, creative spaces come to life, shaped in part by young people. This combination of movement, individuality, and expression is reminiscent of the athletes’ routines — precise, powerful, and full of personality.
Where in Frankfurt am Main do you feel the city’s “sporting spirit” most strongly, and why there in particular?
Frankfurt’s sporting spirit isn’t felt in just one place — it manifests itself in countless moments throughout the day. Whether jogging, walking, or doing yoga along the banks of the Main, playing basketball or doing calisthenics in Hafenpark, on the sports fields at local clubs, or dancing or skating in public spaces. Often, this happens quite spontaneously and individually: people make the city their own and turn it into their personal space for movement. It is this everyday nature of physical activity that defines Frankfurt and makes the city a true sports city.
