"I don't shake hands with liars, I don't shake hands with c****,” Coates admitted he had told Wylie as his perceived adversary attempted to shake hands with him at the Nitro Athletics event in Melbourne in February.

The tension between the AOC and ASC is viewed as a long running saga, but accusations that the national agency has sought to assert control over the AOC have stepped up while the Presidential election race intensifies. Coates has claimed to the Daily Telegraph the ASC were seeking to grab power and cash, while his rival Danielle Roche has been perceived as the agency’s chosen candidate for the post.

There may be a degree to which this is true, despite Roche’s denials, with the Olympic hockey gold medallist sitting on the ASC Board. However, after garnering opinions on the AOC race, it is clear there are numerous people pondering whether the organisation is in need of change as Australia’s slide down the Olympic medals table continues.

It is clear that Coates is treated with a great deal of respect throughout the vast majority of the Australian sports movement. I have heard numerous plaudits about the 66-year-old, including one calling him “a genius” and another a “complete workaholic”.  

Virtually every conversation I have had has followed a similar pattern, though: "There is no question that John has had a positive effect on Australian sport and his contribution should be recognised, but..."

One of the most prominent concerns raised has been his perceived distance from Australian sport, with suggestions his many international commitments may have impacted on presiding over the AOC. He is also President of the Court of Arbitation for Sport, remember, as well as an International Olympic Committee (IOC) vice-president, chairman of the Coordination Commission for Tokyo 2020 and co-chair of a Working Group exploring reforms to the Olympic bidding process. 

His support for the IOC decision to not ban Russia from last year’s Olympic Games was seen by many as having differed to the stance given with his AOC hat on.

It followed him describing RUSADA and the All-Russia Athletic Federation as being “rotten to the core” when retrospectively awarding racewalker Jared Tallent his 50 kilometres event gold medal from London 2012.

Coates has come in for criticism as well for his remuneration package at the AOC, with their annual report having revealed he received AUD$729,438 (£440,879/$552,524/€519,957) in 2016. Roche has claimed she would not accept a salary to allow money to be "put back into sport and athletes".

The length of Coates’ Presidency has also raised questions, with claims that a 27-year reign in charge of an organisation cannot be healthy for a body. Regardless of how skilled an operator the President is, it seems apparent that the same individual holding power could lead to an organisation becoming viewed as stale.

“The Prime Minister of Australia has changed seven times since John took up the role,” one former AOC official pointed out.

Coates has, however, rejected suggestions he has clung on to power to long. He states that 19 National Olympic Committees have leaders who have been in charge for over 20 years.

I would argue that raises serious concerns over governance at those NOCs, with sport having presented numerous examples in recent years in which absolute power has had a damaging effect on organisations. Sepp Blatter at FIFA and Lamine Diack spring to mind.

Several International Federations have taken steps to improve governance following these damaging examples, with a number having opted to include term limits. While a potential 31-year spell in charge of an NOC could send the wrong message, regardless of the fact many view Coates’ abilities in the highest possible terms.

Coates has suggested it would benefit Australia heading towards Tokyo 2020 if he remained in the role, due to him being the chair of the IOC’s Coordination Commission for the Games. However, there is the issue that his IOC membership could rest on the election.

The IOC itself would be extremely reluctant to part with their vice-president should he lose to Roche. Defeat remains an unlikely prospect, but Hockey Australia, who nominated Roche, have suggested he could take up the role of Honorary President if their candidate triumphs on May 6. It could arguably been viewed as a mischievous move prior to the election, with suggestions an honorary position would allow Coates to remain an IOC member.

However, there does seem goodwill from many to the idea of Coates taking up an honorary position at some stage to recognise his contribution, particularly from his election through to the Sydney 2000 Olympics.

Whether Coates prevails against Roche, there appears a genuine desire for change to take place at the NOC. The prevailing opinion currently is that the AOC President calls all the shots at the organisation, backed by the organisation's director of media and communications Mike Tancred. Their close relationship has been another source of criticism in the election campaign, with Tancred having vocally supported the incumbent, rather than remaining neutral.

There have also been concerns raised about the culture of the organisation, with Coates having confirmed to insidethegames last month that the Board had been made aware of a complaint against a staff member. It followed reports that former AOC chief executive Fiona de Jong had a dispute with Tancred.

In particular, there have been suggestions that there has been a lack of opposition from what has been perceived to be a weak and submissive Board. Whether this assessment is accurate or not, there is a sense that a shake-up is on the cards.

The nomination of Andrew Plympton for one of the two vice-president positions could be seen as part of the call for change, with the official having been a public supporter of Roche’s campaign. As a current AOC Executive Board member, his challenge of incumbent vice-presidents Helen Brownlee and Ian Chestermann could be seen as a push against and sign of dissatisfaction at the current direction of the AOC.

With 11 candidates also vying for seven AOC Board positions, there is the sense the elections could give the organisation a number of fresh and potentially loud voices. It is likely that should Coates succeed in maintaining his presidency, there will be a push for a genuine succession plan to be put in place. While it has been claimed the 66-year-old has been actively looking for a replacement, one could argue the responsibility should be the Board's and not his.

IOC President Thomas Bach has repeatedly warned sporting bodies to “change or be changed”. It could be possible that the AOC President faces a similar situation. 

Whether the AOC Presidency passes or a more vocal Board are elected next month, it certainly feels like change could be on the horizon in Australia.