Saudi Arabia is considering a bid to host the 2036 Olympic Games, and Juan Antonio Samaranch, the favorite to become the next president of the International Olympic Committee, supports the idea of taking the Games to the Middle East. Samaranch believes in the importance of universality and giving all parts of the world the opportunity to compete in organizing the Olympics. If Saudi Arabia were to host the Games, Samaranch is open to adapting the traditional dates to accommodate the climate. Samaranch is considered the biggest rival to Lord Coe for the position of IOC president.