Hart, who left Pentathlon GB earlier this month after eight years in which he saw them stage numerous World Cups as well as last year's World Championships, is set to take over the position of modern pentathlon manager for LOGOC vacated in July.

Previous incumbent John Woodbridge was believed to have found the commuting and work patterns too disruptive to his family life.

Hart would play a key role for the sport with the Games less than two years away, making sure all the elements of the competition fit together and liaising with international federations.

King, who took British Cycling from the verge of bankruptcy to being Britain's most successful sport in the space of just over a decade, is expected to hold the post pending the appointment of a new permanent chief executive officer in the new year.

Ranked 17th in the world as a cycling nation in 1996, Britain became number one in 2007 and has retained that position ever since.

Membership of British Cycling has risen from 13,000 in 1996 to 34,000 today.

King is a qualified accountant and company secretary with his own practice in Surrey.

He also sits on the boards of Commonwealth Games England, Central Council for Physical Recreation (CCPR), CCPR Enterprises and Cycling England.

In 2009 he was honoured with a CBE for services to cycling.

Anthony Temple, chairman of Pentathlon GB, said: "We are very pleased to have secured someone with Peter's experience and expertise to work with us through a challenging period as we continue our preparations for the Olympic Games."

King commented: "I am delighted to be given the opportunity to work with such a successful Olympic sport and look forward to maintaining progress until a permanent chief executive officer is appointed."

During Hart's eight-year spell at Pentathlon GB he helped raise significant funds for the sport which were used to develop both the elite and grass roots programmes.

In addition, he oversaw the growth in membership from 1,500 to in excess of 6,700 as Pentathlon GB became one of the leading organisers of major events in the pentathlon world.

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