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AOC president John Coates apologises for 'sheltered workshop' remarks

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Australian Olympics Committee president John Coates has broken his silence and apologised for the comments he made in a leaked email, where he said a female staff member with cancer should "get out in the real world", because he was not running a "sheltered workshop".

Mr Coates said, in a statement on Thursday afternoon: "Of course, it was the wrong choice of words."

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AOC media boss steps down after bullying claim

The Australian Olympic Committee's media head Mike Tancred has "stood down" as an investigation into his behaviour towards former chief executive Fiona de Jong continues.

"I know that because I've spent most of my adult life advancing the cause of disabilities and for which the Australian Paralympic Committee extended me its highest award - the Australian Paralympic medal. It's actually one of the things I'm proudest of.

"Yes, I got the email wrong and apologise."

The apology came the same day as Australian Olympic Committee presidential challenger Danielle Roche called for the internal review into workplace practices at the sporting body to be conducted by an external party.

The AOC announced on Wednesday night that it would agree to the review, but it would be overseen by new chief executive Matt Carroll.

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Speaking as he entered the 2017 Ski and Snowboard Awards in Melbourne on Thursday night, Mr Coates reiterated an apology to those with disabilities following his remarks.

When asked whether his comments would affect his re-election in May, or his reputation, Mr Coates said "that's a tricky question, it's for the voters to decide".

Mr Coates said he had "full respect" for Danni Roche, who will oppose him at the election.

"She was my chef de mission and I have full respect for her candidacy."

Mr Coates' comments have been condemned by Federal Sports Minister Greg Hunt and Australian Paralympic Committee chief executive Lynne Anderson.

In an email exchange from January last year, which was included in a letter sent by former AOC chief executive Fiona de Jong to the AOC board on Wednesday morning, ahead of a meeting to discuss a rash of recent stories about financial dealings and bullying allegations, former Ms de Jong said Mr Coates knew the young woman had cancer and had been treated for some months with chemotherapy.

Ms de Jong said that during her treatment the woman had "rarely missed a day of work".

The exchange appears to have started after the woman drew attention to a drafting or typographical error in the AOC constitution that may need to be changed.

In Melbourne on Thursday, Sports Minister Greg Hunt said an investigation into bullying allegations was "the right and proper thing to do".

"Some language has been used which is inappropriate, and I want to make it absolutely clear that language which flippantly casts aspersions on those with disabilities is not appropriate and has no place in Australian public or private discourse," he said.

"It was inappropriate in the past, it's completely unacceptable in this day and age."