Italy's former Olympic ­swimming champion Federica Pellegrini ­announced on Tuesday that she has parted ways with her French coach Philippe Lucas.

The 26-year-old 200 meters freestyle world record holder over long and short course, won Olympic gold over the distance in 2008.

"After careful analysis of the various options open to us, we took a joint decision not to continue the adventure together," said Pellegrini.

For his part, Lucas added, "If in the future, Federica still needs me, the door is always open because our cooperation has been successful on the sporting front and rich in human terms."

Pellegrini teamed up with Lucas in February 2011 and successfully defended her 200 meters and 400 meters freestyle world titles several months later.

Lucas previously coached former French Olympic champion Laure Manaudou.