Coates, a vice-president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), believes allegations of bullying against director of media and communications Mike Tancred are part of an orchestrated plot to ensure he loses the May 6 election to challenger Danielle Roche.

According to the Australian Associated Press, the 66-year-old claimed in a letter addressed to the AOC Executive and National Sports Organisations that the accusations were defamatory, false and "maliciously" published.

Former AOC chief executive Fiona de Jong recently spoke out against the conduct of Tancred, a staunch and loyal supporter of Coates.

It came after Coates confirmed to insidethegames earlier this month that a complaint had been made against a member of staff following reports of a dispute between De Jong and Tancred.

De Jong has claimed a fellow AOC executive had accused her of leaking Board discussions, which she denied and lodged a complaint to Coates.

She said Tancred then called her demanding the complaint to be withdrawn before issuing a threat.

Ryan Wells, who worked for the AOC between 2000 to 2005, has also alleged he was threatened.

The suggestions from Coates that he is a victim in a campaign designed to remove from from the helm comes prior to a "crisis meeting" of the AOC tomorrow.

Coates insists, however, that it is not an emergency gathering but instead a "sensible discussion" surrounding the bullying allegations.

"Specifically regarding the complaint made by Fiona De Jong, I assure you due process has been followed and followed with urgency," the AOC President wrote in the letter, published by News Corp.

"There is clearly a coordinated and sadly vindictive campaign to damage me personally, and to tarnish all that has been achieved at the AOC.

"This campaign is as disappointing as it is unfounded."

Coates' letter marks the latest development in an increasingly fractious and bitter race for the top job at the AOC.

He is being challenged for the first time since taking the role since 1990, with Atlanta 1996 Olympic gold medal-winning hockey player Roche standing against him.

Roche, who is campaigning on a pledge to inject more money into the least-funded Olympic sports in Australia, has already been forced to deny claims she was put up to running for the Presidency by Australian Sports Commission (ASC) chairman John Wylie.

Coates and Wylie have been embroiled in a public feud in recent months.

Coates accused Wylie of trying to oust him from his position and the pair were involved in a heated exchange during a Nitro Athletics event in Melbourne earlier this year.

Earlier this month, Coates claimed he had told Wylie: "I don't shake hands with liars, I don't shake hands with c****."

Australian Sports Minister Greg Hunt has also rejected suggestions that the Federal Government is taking sides in the Presidential election race after claims Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull had intervened in reappointing Wylie as ASC chairman before the election.