An email from IOC director general Christophe De Kepper, published by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, confirms the role of AOC Honorary President would not be sufficient for Coates to remain a member of the IOC.

Hockey Australia President Melanie Woosnam put forward two motions for the AOC annual general meeting, with the first seeing the honorary position created.

It was also suggested that Coates should become the first to hold the post, should Roche triumph in the Presidential election.

Hockey Australia are backing Roche - who won a gold medal in the sport at the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games - for the Presidency.

Coates’ position at the IOC vice-president only stands while he serves as the AOC President.

The Australian is one of a number of IOC members whose status depends on their national role.

It had been suggested the Honorary President position would enable Coates to resume his IOC membership.

De Kepper, responding to an email from Coates seeking clarification on the issue, has confirmed this would not be the case with the position not giving him any voting rights at the AOC.

“We understand the ‘Honorary President’ function, as described in the proposed amendment to your NOC’s Constituion, would be – by definition and in practice – different from the ‘President’ function which you have been exercising since your election as an IOC member in that capacity,” De Kepper said in an email published by ABC.

“Consequently, in the event of your not being re-elected as President at your NOC’s forthcoming Elective General Meeting on May 6, and your becoming Honorary president by virtue of the proposed amendment to the NOC Constitution (should this be formally adopted by the General Meeting and approved by the IOC), we understand that you would cease to exercise the function you were exercising at the time of your election as an IOC member.

“For the avoidance of doubt, this ‘Honorary President’ function – as described in the proposed amendment to your NOC’s Constituion – could not be regarded as ‘an executive or senior leadership position’ within your NOC."

While the letter confirms Coates position as an IOC member would be at risk should he lose the election, it is likely to strengthen claims Australia would lose a key voice in the Olympic if Roche prevails.

Coates, as well as serving as an IOC vice-president, is head of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games Co-ordination Commission.

He also holds the post of President of the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

The IOC vice-president yesterday apologised for referring to a "sheltered workshop" in an email when discussing an employee who was suffering from cancer.

The term sheltered workshop, widely considered outdated, refers to an organisation or environment that employs people with disabilities separately from others.

Former AOC chief executive Fiona de Jong had published email correspondence between Coates and senior AOC staff relating to the solicitor working for the organisation.

The email exchange was published after the vice-president of the International Olympic Committee refuted claims there was a culture of bullying at the AOC.

He had claimed allegations of bullying against Mike Tancred, who stood down as the AOC director of media and communications yesterday pending an investigation, are part of an orchestrated plot to ensure he loses the Presidential election.

De Jong hit back in a letter, published by The Herald Sun, which alleged seven separate complaints against Tancred and claims further complaints have been made against other AOC employees.

The AOC Executive Board yesterday agreed to an independent committee investigating a complaint by de Jong about Tancred, despite stating that the organisation have been dealing with the allegation since December 2016, upon receipt of the initial complaint.

The committee will comprise three senior counsel or retired judges, including at least one female within its membership, with a decision expected to be made within one month of the appointment.

A review overseen by incoming chief executive Matt Carroll will also assess workplace practices at the AOC.

It is believed the review will also assess other claims made against Tancred, who denies all allegations made against him.