"It gives them a much broader technology understanding. You really do need to play all the areas, but a lot of IT careers don't allow that. I worked in operations and networks and some of these are capable of being the CIOs of the future. You go through a project like this and come out the better for it."

Pennell says motivating and managing his team, which includes seven direct reports, is not a problem.

"I spend a lot of my time trying to get people to have a good work/life balance. Everyone in Locog is passionate about the Games," he says of the draw of the project.

With technology central to the delivery of the Games and expectation high, Locog has formed a close technology team beyond its internal operations to ensure the team secures victory.

Atos has a long-standing relationship with the IOC to create and deliver the central results and accreditation software.