At the end of each Olympic Games cycle there is a formal handover organised by the International Olympic Committee, and Pennell's last Olympic task in November will be to head to Rio as their organising team prepares for 2016.

The technology developments created for London 2012 will also be used by the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in 2014.

The legacy of the Games for London is often cited as being key to its winning bid.

Arrival at the park via the new Javelin rail service from central London, and crossing through the heaving Westfield shopping centre four years after interviewing the then CIO of host borough Newham, I was left with the feeling that the park, venues and related infrastructure will create a longer term benefit to this formerly deprived part of London.

But as the world struggles to re-invigorate its economy, employment is the word on everyone's lips.