A Greek Supreme Administrative Court ruled earlier this month that the outcome of an Elective General Assembly in February, at which Capralos was re-elected, are void.

This decision was made due to the absence of his sole opponent Isidoros Kouvelos after he was taken to hospital on the morning of the vote in Athens and was consequently unable to participate.

A request from Nikolaou for the election to be postponed was rejected. 

Capralos subsequently received all 14 votes cast out of the 25-strong electorate in a ballot boycotted by many of his absent opponent's allies.

His supporters has alleged that Kouvelos was taken to hospital as part of a vote-delaying tactic and now believe he is attempting to postpone a fresh election until he has gathered more support.

Under the HOC constitution, the country's "senior IOC member" is responsible for presiding over elections.

Nikolaou is fulfilling this role, despite being only an honorary International Olympic Committee (IOC) member after passing the age limit for full membership in 2015.

He is considered a supporter of Kouvelos.

"14 heads of national sports fed. in Greece constituting the majority in the HOC Council, demand that elections take place without delay," Capralos posted on Twitter today.

"I've asked Mr. Lambis Nikolaou, IOC honorary member, to immediately proceed in convening the HOC Elective General Assembly per his duty.

"Should Mr. #Nikolaou not wish to fulfill his role anymore, he should inform the IOC accordingly.

"And in 3 months the Olympic Flame will be lit for the 2018 #Olympics in Ancient Olympia. 

"It requires our perfect planning and delivery."

This was accompanied by a letter sent by Capralos to Nikolaou urging him to "proceed without delay in convening the plenary for its formation". 

IOC President Thomas Bach was also copied in.

"The IOC has been informed of the Court’s decision in relation to the Greek NOC elections dated 6 February 2017," a spokesperson told insidethegames today.

"We are monitoring the situation closely with the NOC especially with regard to the appropriate steps that will have to be taken in accordance with the decision of the Court."

Capralos represented Greece in water polo at two Olympics, Moscow in 1980 and Los Angeles in 1984. 

He has led the HOC since 2009 after defeating the incumbent Minos Kyriakou in a bitter election. 

He is chairman of Star Bulk Carriers Corp, a Nasdaq-listed shipping company.

Capralos also sits on the Executive Committee of the European Olympic Committees (EOC) and served as chair of the Coordination Commission for the Baku 2015 European Games.

He was appointed to a similar position for the Minsk 2019 edition in January and is considered a possible EOC Presidential contender.

The official was named in a Sunday Times article shortly before London 2012 in connection with alleged ticketing scams.

He allegedly told undercover reporters that he had "pulled strings" with Olympic organisers to obtain extra premium tickets which would be available outside Greece. 

He criticised the reports as untrue and "misleading", although the IOC Ethics Commission claimed he had caused "damage to the reputation of the Olympic Movement".

A dispute between Kouvelos and Capralos to replace Nikolaou as the Greek IOC member is thought to be a key factor in the dispute.