Roche, who won Olympic hockey gold at the Atlanta 1996 Games, is the first person to challenge Coates for the Presidency, which he has held since 1990.

The elections for the President and AOC Executive Board are scheduled for May 6.

The 46-year-old insisted it was her "own decision" to stand for AOC President amid speculation that she was put up to it by Australian Sports Commission (ASC) chairman John Wylie, who has been involved in a public spat with Coates in recent months.

Coates, a vice-president of the International Olympic Committee, 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 last month.

Roche's move comes with a series of bold pledges as she claims she will not accept a salary to allow the money to be "put back into sport and athletes".

It follows reports that 66-year-old Coates has a salary of around AUS$700,000 (£440,000/$540,000/€502,000).

Roche, nominated for the Presidency by Hockey Australia, has also vowed to improve the collaboration between the AOC and the ASC in spite of the ongoing feud between the two organisations.

"This is 100 per cent my choice," Roche was quoted as saying by the Sydney Morning Herald.

"I am my own person. 

"I am an Olympian.

"I'm passionate about athletes and sport and I care about making a difference to make sure we provide every opportunity for athletes in sport.

"I believe there is overwhelming support that I have been given, otherwise I certainly wouldn't have stood for this position.

"The feedback I've been getting is that there is an enormous feeling that it's time for evolution and time for a change."

Mike Tancred, the director of media and communications at the AOC, has hit back at what he believes is a campaign to ensure Coates is replaced.

In an article published in The Australian newspaper, he wrote: "The President of the Australian Olympic Committee has led the way on anti-doping, illegal betting, child protection and the inclusion of more women in sport. 

"In sport, and the business of sport, he is 20 steps ahead of anyone else, he is without equal.

"Wylie’s job is to distribute Federal Government funding to the sports.

"He is a businessman from Melbourne who is leading a push to have Coates removed as AOC President at the annual meeting on May 6.

"He thinks Coates is past his used-by date and a younger person should take over.

"Coates has devoted his life to the AOC and has built it into a very successful National Olympic Committee, one that is admired around the world.

"Like any businessman who has spent years creating a successful company, Coates is not prepared to simply hand it over to the first Tom, Dick, Harry, Janet or Tracey who comes along.

"This point is sadly lost on Wylie and other detractors."

The AOC, which is still reeling from a disappointing performance by Australian athletes at last year's Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, recently appointed Matt Carroll as chief executive to replace Fiona de Jong.

Australia finished 10th on the medal table at Rio 2016 winning eight golds, 11 silvers and 10 bronze.