London 2012 have appointed Doug Arnot, one of the key figures in Salt Lake City's staging of the 2002 Winter Olympics, as their director of games operations.

Arnot, an American, will fill one of the most important roles in London, and be responsible for the overall planning, co-ordination and delivery of the Olympics.

An experienced figure in major sporting events, Arnot has also worked for the USA's hosting of the football World Cup at 1994, was chief executive of USA Rugby and more recently was senior vice-president for Chicago's failed bid for the 2016 Olympics.

London 2012 chief executive Paul Deighton said: "We've been talking to Doug for the last six months as part of an international search to fill this position.

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

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."

Arnot was placed on probation by Salt Lake City organisers after an altercation with a pedestrian in 2000. He pleaded guilty to a misdemeanour assault, spent 10 days in jail and issued a public apology. The misdemeanour expired in 2006.

Fraser Bullock, Salt Lake City's chief operating officer, told the Chicago Tribune: "Basically, it was a very minor incident that was blown way out of proportion and Doug took one for the team."

He said Arnot believed he was innocent but wanted to avoid a long drawn out media circus that would have accompanied a trial.