Coates is facing a challenge for the first time since taking the role 27 years ago.

Coates won the vote 58-35 before walking over to greet Roche, shaking hands with the beaten contender.

Coates’ control of the board was then shored up with the election of allies Ian Chesterman and Helen Brownlee as vice-presidents, who defeated Andrew Plympton.

And five of the six contenders he named on his ticket were victorious - Matt Allen, Mark Arbib, Craig Carracher, Kitty Chiller and Evelyn Halls.

Former champion swimmer Nicole Livingstone and Harvard graduate Mark Murphy are the only “independents” on the board.

Roche, 46, will resume on the ASC board, determined to continue to forge change.

“Although the AOC’s members did not vote for a change in president, the past six weeks marks a pivotal moment in Australian sport,” she said.

CAN COATES REPAIR THE DAMAGE?

“We have started a much-needed conversation about the future direction of Australian sport and the responsibility the Australian Olympic committee has in supporting its member sports and their athletes.

AOC President John Coates addresses the Australian Olympic CommitteeSource:AAP

“A record number of candidates for executive board positions is proof that the sports feel empowered to make their voice heard in discussions that are critical to their future, and the future of their movement.

“There is clearly a strong desire for change.

Coates, who celebrates his 67th birthday tomorrow, clinched victory after an acrimonious battle with Roche, 46, as the nation’s Olympic officials gathered in Sydney to vote.

Unchallenged since 1990, Coates received the majority support of the 33 summer and seven winter sports and the 13 members of the executive.

It is believed many of the smaller sports sided with the stalwart.

The vote, held at the Museum of Contemporary Arts in Circular Quay, marked a clash of generations.

Controversially, delegates were sent text messages telling them how to vote for the seven executive positions.

The Herald Sun obtained the message minutes before the unprecedented poll.

The message read: “Dear Delegate.

“Given the complex nature of ballot system, it’s important to consider following a ticket order in every round or your vote may be exhausted.

“To assist you in supporting Allen, Arbib, Carracher, Chiller, Halls & Hynes for Executive.

“We will be sending sms messages before every voting round.

“To opt out of messages send sms to (number redacted by Herald Sun).

“John C, Ian Helen.”

Brownlee presided over the ballot, giving procedural advice to electors: “This is what we’ve been waiting for....it feels like Christmas.”

Scrutineers from EY (formerly Ernst and Young) collected the green ballot papers in white cardboard boxes.

John Coates and Helen Brownlee vote during a meeting of the Australian Olympic CommitteeSource:AAP

Coates campaigned on the basis of unmatched international connections.

Roche paraded claims around making sport and athletes renewed priorities.

The campaign has been wracked by several controversies, including allegations of chronic bullying at the AOC.

The AOC executive will receive a report from three retired judges into allegations of bullying on June 1.

The accusation was levelled against AOC media director Mike Tancred by former CEO Fiona de Jong.

There was no obvious friction today as guests mingled on the forecourts artificial lawn with stunning views across the harbour to the Opera House on a glorious Sydney morning.

Eventually seated along trestle tables inside the grand hall, the Olympic family watched promotional videos for the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics and 2020 Tokyo summer Games.

Images of Coates featured prominently in the footage, which ran on repeat circuit until the meeting formally opened at 9am with the traditional “welcome to country” by Gadigal elder Uncle Ray Davison.

Coates was one of the last to enter the room as Roche sat with her supporters.

Flanked by vice-presidents Brownlee and Chesterman, CEO Matt Carroll and senior staffer Sue O’Donnell, Coates sipped from a paper cup as highlights were shown from Australia’s mediocre 2016 Rio campaign.

Plympton, who froze Coates’ contentious $729,000 package when he joined the remuneration and nominations committee, sat in the front row - less than two metres from his adversary.

Coates rose to read the president’s address before casting his vote and waiting for the result.

On winning, he returned to the chair for the rest of the election.

AOC BOARD:

President

John Coates - Lawyer and former rower, AOC president since 1990. IOC president.

Vice presidents

Helen Brownlee - Women’s sports pioneer, having served as an athlete, official and administrator in canoeing.

Ian Chesterman - Chef de Mission of the 2018 Winter Olympic team, has long background sports administration and PR.

Executive

Matt Allen - Banker with broad experience in sailing as administrator and world champion competitor.

Mark Arbib - Former Federal Minister for Sport, president of Athletics Australia.

Craig Carracher - Oxford graduate, head of Volleyball Australia. Businessman with global links.

Kitty Chiller - Competed in modern pentathlon at Olympic level. Chef de Mission in Rio.

Evelyn Halls - Dual Olympic fencer, integrity commissioner for Cricket Victoria. Ombudsman in financial services sector.

Nicole Livingstone - Triple Olympic medallist in swimming. Director on multiple boards.

Michael Murphy - Harvard graduate, dual Olympic diver and two-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist.

Originally published as Coates retains presidency in AOC vote