The deal is done: January 31 will mark the first long-course training session in which Federica Pellegrini will be guided by former mentor to Laure Manaudou, Philippe Lucas. 

The drama of a break-up with coach Stefano Morini in the wake of the world s/c championships in Dubai last month, appears to have been settled in a deal struck between Italy, its federation, Olympic Committee, the Frenchman and the swimmer who pushed for what she wanted to help get her career on track for the defense of her Olympic 200m free crown at London 2012.

On the way, she will also defend the 200m and 400m world crowns, in Shanghai this July. Pellegrini told ANSA, the Italian agency: "I heard that Lucas in Paris had a very positive meeting with the Federation They studied the program from here to the World Championships in Shanghai, without finding any problem. This to me means that my choice has become a shared decision, one that also carries the support of Luca Marin [fiancee].'" 

Pellegrini described herself as being "over the moon". Some things to sort out yet, including where that January 31 session will take place: Paris or Verona.  But Paris is where she will train for at least part of the coming season. "We are already looking for a home in Paris," said the well-sponsored Pellegrini. "We're just waiting to hear where we will train and for the final details to be honed." 

For his part, FIN president Paolo Barelli, said: "During the meeting [with Lucas], the detail agreed with Federica Pellegrini were discussed, evaluated and subsequently outlined, to the mutual satisfaction of the parties, the guidelines of the training program of the Olympic champion .. with a view to Shanghai." 

A media circus of presenting coach and swimmer to the media, soccer-style, will ensue. Pellegrini's focus is on getting the job done. She said: "It 's a new professional challenge that I face with crazy enthusiasm." As she packed her bags in the belief that she will soon be based in Paris, she wrote on her blog to fans: "Au revoir".

The next chapter in a stellar swimming career is about to begin, alongside a chapter in the personal dramas of Pellegrini, Lucas, Marin and Manaudou, who left Lucas, travelled to Italy to be with Marin and then returned to France to swim out her career no longer thought of as capable of defending her Olympic 400m free crown in 2008.