In the past two weeks, the race for the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) Presidency has become national news and not in a positive sense. Front pages in the nation have not presented the organisation in a good light, while editors have rolled out headlines such as "Five Rings Circus" and "The Olympic Shames".

Bullying allegations have been the prominent concern, with claims the AOC Executive have failed to deal with these complaints. 

AOC President John Coates has been forced to apologise for referring to a "sheltered workshop" when referencing a former staff member who was suffering with cancer. A crisis board meeting has led to two investigations being established and there has also been suggestion of a dispute between former chief executive Fiona de Jong and Rio 2016 Chef de Mission Kitty Chiller.

All in all, not a positive week for the AOC.

There also appears to be no sign of the stories drawing to a halt. As I mentioned in my blog two weeks ago, it seems inevitable that major changes are on the way, regardless of the outcome of the Presidential race. Currently it is hard to paint the organisation as anything but dysfunctional. 

Clearly, the long-term priority for the organisation has to be a vigorous assessment of the allegations of bullying. While it certainly feels like the AOC's hand has been forced, it is a positive step that they have established an independent committee to investigate de Jong's bullying complaint against Mike Tancred, who has temporarily stepped aside as director of media and communications.

There is an argument for all of the allegations made against Tancred - all of which he denies - to be part of the investigation which is led by three prominent judges. A further suggestion is for the second investigation, which will assess workplace practices at the AOC, to be made fully independent. This seems a fair one. Certainly, it would be an unwelcome first task for incoming chief executive Matt Carroll.

The sole focus of this week will be the Presidential election and the politics has proven fascinating in the build-up, with attention focused on governance issues.

Hockey Australia, who are backing Atlanta 1996 gold medallist Danielle Roche, certainly kicked things off with their proposal for Coates to be made Honorary President of the AOC should he be beaten.

Their motion, although framed in a way which made it seem like it was about recongising Coates for his achievements at the AOC, was a clear attempt to allow the 66-year-old to retain his international roles while forcing him out of the Presidency. Doing this would negate the claim of the Coates camp that defeat for the AOC President would lead to a loss of influence on the international stage.

If this amounted to a "check" in the AOC game of chess, a check-mate on the issue was swiftly delivered in the form of a leaked IOC letter on Friday (April 28). The letter confirmed that Coates would lose his IOC membership and positions if beaten by Roche, with the Honorary Presidency position not considered to be a "senior leadership" role which would be required to stay on.

It certainly seems convenient for the letter to have become public knowledge as the Presidential race heads into the finishing straight. Ron Walker, one of Australia's most respected sporting officials, deemed that there was some mischief behind this. Walker, who was chairman of the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games and Australian Grand Prix Corporation, has claimed international interference.

"I have noted comments today from an IOC spokesperson which can only be seen as an attempt to blatantly interfere in the Australian Olympic Committee's domestic sovereignty," he wrote to the 40 Olympic sporting bodies who will ultimately vote and decide the AOC Presidency, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.

"I believe the hard facts and precedent seem to be being ignored. It is important to note that in the event that Mr Coates is not re-elected as AOC President, his various IOC positions are safe as long as he accepts - and is appointed to - the role of Honorary President at next week's AGM."

Walker references Hein Verbruggen remaining as the head of the Beijing 2008 Coordination Commission after ceasing to be International Cycling Union (UCI) President in 2005, and becoming the organisation's Honorary President. Despite this, the IOC's position regarding Coates seems clear and this could work both ways. If he were to lose the election, the organisation would find it very difficult to find a way to keep him on.

While it should also be noted that Australia do have James Tomkins as IOC members and honorary members in the form of Kevan Gosper and Phil Coles, the trio do not currently possess the profile of Coates. It could well be his international profile which gets him over the line.

There have been countless arguments and counterarguments in the build-up to the election. From Walker's views to Graham Richardson's urge to stop the smear campaign against Coates. It is worth pointing out that Walker has prominently backed Roche, while Richardson himself was named Mayor of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Village by one John Coates. There are divisions regarding numerous issues, including the Liberal and Labor parties in Australia, the AOC against the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) and a perceived Sydney vs Melbourne divide.

The build-up to the election has had pretty much everything. Although, I probably should mention sport.

The issue which should be central to the election has rapidly slipped down the pecking order, as other issues have become more prominent.

Granted, Roche has regularly posted her pledges to Australia's sporting bodies on her blog, including a vow to step down from the ASC board if elected AOC President. A month ago, the pledge would have been big news, but it has been lost among the recent noise.

Clearly both Roche and Coates will be making huge efforts behind the scenes to convince sports of their credentials. Money is likely to talk when push comes to shove, with Coates enjoying the added bonus of his international influence claim.

Ultimately, the debate about sport has been somewhat lost in the election campaign. Which is disappointing, when the organisation involved is a sporting one.