The American, who was director of sport, venues and Games operations for Chicago 2016 will be responsible for the overall planning, coordination and delivery of London 2012’s Games Time Operations.

 

 

This will include integrating venues, sport, village, security, games services and broadcast functions.

 

He will report directly to Paul Deighton, the chief executive of London 2012.
 

Arnot started his career as a lawyer before becoming the President and founder of the National Congress of State Games in the United States .

 

He took up his first senior appointment in the early 1990s as the executive vice-president for the World Cup in the US in 1994, from there he went on to become the managing director of venues and operations for the Atlanta Olympics in 1996.

 

In 1999 he joined the Salt Lake City Games senior team as managing director for event operations, directing and planning the operations for the 2002 Winter Olympics.

 

After this he went on to become chief executive for USA Rugby during a period of restructuring the sport within the country and then since 2006 he has been senior vice-president of the Chicago 2016 bid team.

 

Although Chicago's bid ultimately failed by being knocked out in the first round of voting Arnot earned praise for being the only member of the presentation team to speak in French. 
 
Deighton said: "We've been talking to Doug for the last six months as part of an international search to fill this position.

 

"LOCOG’s focus moves from planning to operational delivery and integrating our operational plans with those of all our stakeholders across London and the UK is critical to delivering a successful and memorable Games.

 

"We are delighted that Doug, with his extensive Olympic and Paralympic Games experience is joining us.

 

"We already have a world class team here at LOCOG and Doug's Games time operational delivery experience will add to that and give us vital insight for the next three years.

 

"We welcome Doug to the team and look forward to working with him to stage truly inspirational Games."

 
Arnot said: "Joining LOCOG is another fantastic chapter in my life and I cannot wait to get started. London 2012 is a unique challenge and one I could not pass up.

 

"There is an extremely dedicated and talented team in place; there is genuine excitement around the world about the Games being held in London and great respect for the planning and delivery to date.

 

"I look forward to being part of this highly driven team and working with them to continue the fantastic work done so far." 

 

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