Olympic officials to be vetted for abuse

Australian Olympic team officials and coaches will undergo mandatory working with children checks in the lead-up to the Rio games in 2016.

Australian Olympic Committee President John Coates said the move was sparked by revelations at the royal commission into child sexual abuse.

"I want us to try and set the highest standard possible here in protecting athletes," he said.

Mr Coates has consulted with British and US counterparts on the issue of child abuse in elite sport and praised their vigorous policies.

Australia was looking at similar policies.

"It has been suggested to me that this (issue) is a bigger problem in American sport than doping," he said.