AOC's John Coates prepared to hand power away

Under-siege Australian Olympic Committee President John Coates says he’s prepared to hand more power away and make a bid for Queensland to host a future Olympics as he makes a pitch to retain his job.

File image of John Coates. Source: AP

AOC President John Coates is facing pressure over his post amid a leadership stoush with former Olympian Danielle Roche.

A showdown over the role is expected on Saturday when an election will be held for the position.

In an interview with the ABC's 7.30 program, Mr Coates said he was prepared to hand over some of his duties to the chief executive.

"I've indicated I don't want to continue to be running the shop here at the AOC," he said.

"I think I can play a greater role internationally than I've been doing and very happy now that I've got a CEO who is capable of running the show, to hand far more over."

Mr Coates said if re-elected he’d push for an Olympic Games to be held in South East Queensland – something “not everyone was aware of”, amid debate about the 2024 and 2028 Games.

Brisbane and six supporting cities had been authorised to do a feasibility study, he added.

“I’ve got the experience,” he said.

“What I want to do, whether it's 2028 or 2032, is to champion that both in Australia and internationally.”

Mr Coates said he'd written a month ago to all the various sports saying this was his last term and he wanted to identify an appropriate successor.

"There isn't anyone out there at the moment that's ready for the international role as president of the committee.

"I'm in a position to help a range of people by taking them to meetings, giving them that exposure, giving them that experience, so that Australia is in a position to have a new president in 2020."

He hoped he had the numbers for Saturday’s election.

“You have to always respect the electorate. I’m continuing to do that over the next few days.”

Meanwhile, the Australian Olympic Committee Athletes’ Commission met on Thursday to determine the voting for Saturday’s election.

While there was an “overwhelming response” in the desire for change, opinions differed as to how that would be achieved.

“In a non-unanimous majority decision, the Commission voted to support the re-election of John Coates,” the commission said in a statement.