Updated March 22, 2017 20:08:10

Photo: Equestrian Australia's Judy Fasher has praises Danni Roche's bid without formally endorsing it. (ABC News)

The battle for the presidency of the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) is hotting up, with another sport praising Danni Roche's decision to challenge long-time chief John Coates.

Equestrian Australia (EA) has followed swimming and hockey in promoting the need for new ideas to support Olympic sport.

EA chair Judy Fasher told the ABC Roche's platform for change was "exciting".

"The fact that the emphasis on Danni Roche's whole agenda is to send more money to the athletes, that has got to be attractive to all sports", she said.

Ms Fasher said while Mr Coates had made the "most remarkable contribution to the Olympic sports (and) has absolutely been a huge supporter of equestrian sport ... like all people who hold positions and in our democracy other people have an opportunity to put up their hands and say I'd like to have a go".

While this is not a formal endorsement for Ms Roche's campaign, the Equestrian Australia comments are seen as significant for those who support regime change at the AOC.

Former Olympian Danni Roche is challenging John Coates for AOC power and things already look set to get nasty, writes Mary Gearin.

The relationship between Mr Coates and Equestrian Australia turned sour after the Rio Games when the AOC boss publicly lashed out at EA director, Qantas chair and former Rio Tinto chief Leigh Clifford.

Along with swimming chief John Bertrand and cycling chief Mal Speed, he was held up as an example of how sports were too often appointing businessmen to their boards.

Mr Bertrand has weighed into the leadership debate, again without declaring formal endorsement, with an article saying, "We should not be afraid to consider change", and supporting Ms Roche's pledge to limit future presidents to three four-year terms.

Hockey Australia was the first sport off the rank, nominating Ms Roche for the position.

Its president, Melanie Woosnam, said while the decision "wasn't taken lightly… the timing is right for sport in Australia to recalibrate".

The AOC would not comment about the statements made since Ms Roche launched her campaign.

There is six weeks to go until the vote, and the most powerful man in Olympic sport has signalled he will fight to stay.

Topics: sport, swimming, olympics-summer, australia

First posted March 22, 2017 19:46:00