Wikipedia:List of hoaxes on Wikipedia/Curtis James

 Curtis Reginald James (born July 31, 1992 in Northeast, Washington, D.C.) nicknamed "Ghost" by fellow teammate Simon Peters, is a former American track and field sprinter who ran  for Reebok. He is a four-time USATF AT&T Professional (now Visa Championship) Series champion, three-time All-Star winner, and the only rookie to lead the point standings.

Personal life
James was born in Northeast, Washington, D.C. on July 31, 1992. He attended DuVal High School in Lanham, Maryland before moving to Conyers, Georgia in summer of 2007. James spent the rest of his high school career at Heritage High School in Rockdale County, where he holds records at the school for the 4x400 and the 4x800.

James is the youngest of four and the only male. James' mother ran track in high school, and was a huge influence on James' ability to run. James often ran around the house and was fast for his age. James was influenced by the Olympic competition he saw in videos and during the years Olympic games.

James still maintains ties to Washington D.C. where he is part of one of Petworth's most notable restaurants, Sweet Mango Cafe. He is an avid supporter of the Washington Redskins and the NASCAR team Hendrick Motorsports.

Amateur career
James began his running career in Hyattsville, Maryland, running in community sponsored events. James was very successful on the track at an early age. Winning multiple events and breaking track records in his age group. When he was seven, he got an offer to run for Omega as a developmental runner.

Regional debut
James raced for Team Omega from 1998 to 2000. James joined the team alongside sponsor Scholastic Corporation. When the team lost its sponsor Scholastic Corporation in 2000, James was forced to retire from the season. James was holding a conversation with friend Simon Peters when Peters mentioned an opening at Reebok for the next season. James took that into consideration when he received a offer from the team three weeks later. James received four other offers, and visited two other teams before making his decision to join Reebok in August 2000. Within his semi-professional time frame he accumulated 17 Gold, 18 Silver, and 6 Bronze metals.

Professional career
Some of James' notable accomplishments throughout his career include: Sweeping three straight races in his rookie season. Becoming the first rookie ever to lead in the point standings (and to date the only rookie to do so), being the first rookie to win an All-Star main event and finishing in the top seven in the standings in his first three full seasons. He has never finished below fifth in the final points standings and finished second in 2001 his rookie season.

James won the 2002-2004, and 2006 AT&T Professional Series championships. Becoming the third ever runner to win a championship in their second season.

In 2006, James became the only runner to win the Dollar General 200 m, 100 m Sprint at Maryland Sport Complex, and Reebok 100/200 m Nationals all in the same year. Those events are some of the most prestigious in the series. He is the only runner to win three Championship's in a row and also holds the record at the Maryland Sport Complex with four straight wins and five total point race wins at the track. He also still currently holds the 200 m speed record at the track with a 21.34 which was accomplished in 2006, which was also the same year he accomplished a series record by winning nine straight races.

2001 - 2003
James began racing in the Professional series in 2001, The seasons first race the Coca-Cola 200 m would show the series that James could be consistent. James ran two back to back personal bests in the same day. His rookie season would only improve from there, winning three races, finishing in the top-5 9 times, and having an average finish of 3.2 for the year. He Also won the Rookie of The Year award over John Hexly. James would also attract a new sponsor to the team that year in Coca-Cola. James posted 3 wins, 9 top-5's and an average finish of 3.2 this season. After some poor finishes in week seven and eleven, he lost the point lead and would finish second in the final standings. During the 2001 All-Star event James would run a special black Coke Zero jersey, which later would be featured in a sports center commercial. For the All-Star invitational James would win the lane one selection for the 800 m race. This race is still played in syndication on ESPN Classic due to the intense racing to get into the All-Star main event. They would race side by side until James inched ahead at the line for the win. After winning the race he qualified for the All-Star main event, A victory in the 200 m seemed to give him hope for his first All-Star title. After getting boxed in during the 800 m event and finishing fourth, his hopes seemed dashed. An incident in the next event the 400 m would put James in the lead in the overall standings. After finishing second in the 300 m event James secured his first All-Star win in his first attempt. Solidifying his place in the record books as the only rookie to ever win the All-Star main event.

For his 2002 running campaign, James had four points-race victories: first winning the Coca-Cola 200 m at the Maryland Invitational and later sweeping both 100 m races in the season. He also won the 400 m event at the Arizona Invitationals. His 2002 Professional season statistics include 8 top-five finishes and only 2 Last place finishes, with an average finishing position of 2.7. James got his first and second wins in back to back weekends by winning The Nike Performance Run on August 2 and the Coca-Cola 200 m on August 13. James claimed the 2002 championship, His first of four. A week before the All-Star event James visited the Children's National Medical Center to let kids sign his commemorative all white Coca-Cola jersey. The jersey was later donated back to the hospital. James won the 2002 All-Star race by one event over teammate Simon Peters. His second consecutive All-Star win. James planned to run another special children's jersey during the pre-season races in 2003.

Weeks one, two, and three would start his 2003 championship season on the right foot. During week four James had to dodge an incident on the last lap of the 800 m race. He would finish second in that race after three runners were injured due to the incident, James would be taken to the care center for an ankle wrap as a precaution after a spike from one of the runners shoes got pierced in his foot. James would bounce back from that adding a week five 3rd place finish at the Coca-Cola 100 m and a week six win at The Marley Invite. Subsequent victories at the Coca-Cola 200 m and the Nike 400 m helped solidify his place in the standings, with second place 31 points back. However, poor finishes at Davis Red and White Invitational (8th) and the 2003 Zumiez Championship (6th) allowed the leader to cut into his lead. The eleventh race of the season would keep James in the lead by 12 points, Simon Peters would win the last two races and finish behind James by 3 points in the season. His 2003 stats include 4 wins, an average finish of 2.2 and his second consecutive championship. James would participate in the All-Star event but was eliminated in the third round qualifiers.

2004 - 2008
For his 2004 title run, James stayed in the top five in the points standings all year, winning at the Maryland Invitational, 2004 Zumiez Championship, The Detroit Four way race, and then again in Canada. While he only won 5 races, his consistency set the tone for his team. Beating out competitor, mentor and teammate Simon Peters by 2 points, James would win the 2004 title, making it a new sanctioning record for most consecutive championships (Now held by Arnold Buford of Nike with 6) & for closest championship (James previously held this record at 5 points). His 2004 championship season statistics include 6 top-5 finishes with an average finishing position of 2.0, no DNF's and a fastest 200 m time of 21.54.

During practice after the final 2004 season race, James twisted his ankle while doing a wet practice indoors. One of his rubber spike's would get stuck in one of the tracks side gutter openings, James was running 300 m at the time of the incident. Although he would not be able to run in the All-Star race, James attended to spend time with the fans and watch the race from the grandstands. He would attend the awards ceremony with a cast on his ankle. James 2005 season was scraped due to the injury.

The 2006 season would begin with a series problems that plagued his season. James would injure his finger after slipping off the blocks in the All-Star prologue. Two wins during the beginning half of the season helped him get back into form. That form would carry him to a Personal Best 21.34 200 m time at the Maryland Invitational. Moreover the consistent top 5's and ten total points victories helped him secure his 4th championship. James won it by a mere 2 points, tying the record for closest championship. James' 2006 special All-Star jersey would be signed by fans before the race, keeping Coca-Cola's tradition of allowing fan input on James jersey's. Coca-Cola would turn to drink Coke C2 for James' special red, black and white jersey scheme. During the 2006 All-Star race contact with a Puma sponsored runner would possibly disqualify his 300 m time. James ran a personal best 34.91 in the event and this win was needed for him to secure the overall All-Star win. The protest was denied due to it being a non-points event, as well as the incident being deemed 'blocking'. After the tape review it was determined that James was already past the finish line when he left his lane, James would go on to claim his third All-Star win. A week after the event James visited Victory Junction Gang Camp where he donated his racing winnings and jersey to the camp.

It was during the 2007 season, when James wanted to pursue high school running. Despite running a personal best 49.97 400 m time during the third race of the season. James would run only five races. Winning two of them and finishing the season seventeenth in the standings. Under the rules in the Rockdale County Board of Education sports handbook. A professional cannot participate in amateur events, thus doing so can result in team disqualification. James joined Reebok's safety department and board of advisers. James also went on to work with runners on their fitness and other important performance factors for the remainder of the season. Although he filed in 2007 for retirement, it wasn’t until May 2008 that his papers were officially accepted.

During the 2008 season Ronaldo Pittman broke his leg during the prologues for open season races. Due to James retirement, the USA Track & Field rules state that a runner must apply for reinstatement before subbing in a race. Due to short notice no application was made. James would fail to qualify for the finals and instead Simon Peters would race in the 200 m event. Peters would finish 4th in the race. Both runners were penalized $70,000 and put on probation until January. Reebok was also fined $200,000 for voiding the rules contract. Pittman was expelled from the season and put on probation until July 2009.

2007 season
James would go on to join the Heritage High School Cross Country team as the manager. Coming off recent retirement, he was not yet cleared to run for the team. James stated that he wanted to take a break from running and deal with the analytical side of a running organization. James would visit with the coach and discuss the reasons he wanted to be the manager instead of running. Coach agreed to have him manage the team that year and be one of the leading advisers for the team. James would insist on doing everything he could to make the team feel comfortable and be as successful as possible. He could be seen running around the track with the team and even participating in the stretches and team building exercises. The team in general went on to finish 2nd overall in region finals and 4th overall in the state meet.

2008 season
Before the start of the 2008 season, James would announce his retirement from professional track & field to join the cross country team for Heritage High. His teammates would take this information in excitement knowing the skills James had. Although the request for release was filed in May 2008 it was not processed until September of that year. This would leave James to miss the first six races of the season. This put running for the state championship out of the question for James. He did however run one race this season, after which he returned as second year manager for the team, leading them to a 6th-place state finish.

2009 season
The 2009 Track & Field season started off slow for James, his times for the 400 and 800 being slower than his usual season starts. James knew that he had to work harder towards the season that he ever had. His back problems plagued his season and he was very cautious during his races. His best 400 meter time for the season was a 55.4 over 5 seconds slower than his personal best. His 800 meter season best was over 10 seconds faster than his personal best. James ran a 2:12 in playing his part during the 4x800 which the team broke the schools previous record. During the preliminary's for the region meet James ran a demonstration of the 800 meters. The 800 meters that James ran was actually the finals to make it to the state meet. James was not informed of this, thus causing James to miss the state meet by two positions James stated that he would like to return for the 2010 season, but was unsure of his heath status. During the off season he had massage surgery to repair the tangled tissue in his back. After the season during the banquet he announced to his coach that he will be returning during the 2010 season and wanted to focus on his sprinting. His coach agreed, putting him through a series of rigorous tests to find out about his back status. His coach would tell him to stick to longer distance runs as it would be easier on his back. James agreed and would even protest a compromise to run half sprint races and half distance races. His coach would agree to help him work towards doing both running styles.


 * Denotes running 4x800 instead of single 800 event

‎ Summer practice for the 2009 Cross Country season would go very well for James, placing him in the 4th position on his team, yet during camp in July he discovered a lower back issue. James won the first race at Spalding but had to take a hit during the next race where the pain was to much to bear. During a two week break in the season James had back surgery to repair the tangled tissue. He would return to run the Aubrae Gunderson 5k invitational at the Horse Park. He would finish 123 out of 146 with a time of 23:13. After the event James noted that he slipped on the course after having cramps. He was checked out by medical staff and released. James season continued to decline from there, with poor finishes in the next two races it would leave him in a bad position to make the state championships. James ran a consistent race at Wesleyan but a cramp midway through would leave him falling to the middle of the pack. Coming to the final stretch of the race James would start to make passes through the field helping him salvage a 30th place finish and keep a solid standing in the team rankings. The next race at Carrollton would prove no better. The starting gun malfunctioned, causing some people to start early. The pack would be called back to the line and the race restarted. However this would happen for a second time, but due to over 90% of the field starting at the same time was allowed to continue. James was left towards the back of the pack due to the poor start, he would start to fan his way through the field and made it to mid-pack before cramps once again took him towards the back of the pack. He would manage a 131st place finish and would drop 3 positions in the team standings to 7th. This would qualify James for the region championships at Horse Park. James made a comment on the race course "This place isn't to friendly to me. No matter how much preparation and practice I put in here. No matter the testing we do here, I just don't run well here". It would seem that comment was to be proved incorrect when James started the race in the lead, but the trouble would show face by lap two. James saw himself falling to the back of the pack. James ran top 5 all race long until cramps would once again take there toll. This would prove the final nail in the coffin for James when he ended up finishing 30th dropping him out of the top 7 in team standings and eliminating him as a competitor for the 2009 state championships. James would attend the state championships as an alternate and was almost needed when a teammate showed up late. James ended up finishing the season with a best of 19:04 which is also his personal best, 1 win and an 11th place team standing.

5000m Season Best Progression Chart

2010 season
James had an up and down 2010 Track & Field season. His final season would start with him being on the A Team for his school's 4x400 team. He ran the 1st leg for the team through the beginning part of the season. Throughout the season James' back problems would prove costly, as the team underperformed without his condition being at 100%. Through the season his coach put him on two different teams to increase his performance and drive after his therapy to ease the pain of his back. His times improved and he was then let back on to the A Team for the 4x400. The team went to finish 4th in the region finals, just two positions away from making it to the state championships. James also ran the 400 and 800 meter events during the season. His performance in the 400 meters were as hindered as his 4x400 performance. The 400 meter event is one that James always capitalized on, his current personal best stands at a 49.97 just 1 and a half seconds off of his schools current record. His 800 meter performances were consistent throughout the year winning multiple heat races through strategy and patients. His current best of the season was a 2:09. Just 4 seconds off his personal best.

400m Season Best Progression Chart

800m Season Best Progression Chart


 * (1) Denotes running 4x100
 * Denotes running 4x400 instead of single 400 event
 * Denotes running 4x800 instead of single 800 event

Other racing
James does a number of other racing themed events. He currently does most of it for charity, while his own race team works towards championships in online racing leagues.

Legends Cars
James participated in a Legends Car test at Atlanta Motor Speedway in June 2008. Legends car racing which is a proving ground for potential future race drivers is one of James passions. He planned to go racing in the 2008 fall season. Those plans would fall through leaving him to push back the plans. The 2009 plans would also fall through and James would decide to only pursue the mechanical side of the racing business.

Simulation Racing
James also races online. The video games NASCAR Racing 2003 Season and GTR Evolution being the most frequent racing platforms. Most of his sponsored events are for charity, Although he does play for fun in his spare time.

The Affiliates Network
James launched The Affiliates Network in August of 2009. The Affiliates Network is aimed at giving consumers the best price for products and other various items. This foundation is aimed towards helping families in areas of need throughout the United States.

The Affiliates Network supports other foundations and charities that share the same focus. Current partners include the American Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, and Feed The Children. From donating clothing and food, to helping out through other organizations projects.

James Motorsports
James founded the company in 2007, originally Team Target it evolved into something more than just a testing team. Today James Motorsports focuses on serving various charities and helping out other track and field teams. James Motorsports also competes in simulation racing, mainly for communities that do not have a main source for fun. Various booths get set up near playgrounds during fair events and other events that involve the community. James noted that he always wanted to do something that would help out the community, not only the one that he lives in but also various ones in other locations.

Media appearances
James made a plethora of appearances in television, radio and commercials over his career.

Television
James was featured on a SportsCenter commercial with Scott Van Pelt where James was running in his special All-Star black Coke Zero jersey with a Coke Zero in his hand. Pelt precedes to ask the question "How do you run and drink at the same time?!" James replied "Impossible is Nothing" noting Adidas' slogan at the time period.

Advertisements
James has appeared in a number of advertisements for various groups including Adidas, Coca-Cola, Dell, AT&T, Dunlop, Intel, Timex and DirecTv. He has also done autograph picture folds for Susan G. Komen, The U.S. Marines, Reebok, SONY and Coca-Cola Bottling Company.

Radio
James appeared on 98 Rock during the radio stations 'Noise in the basement live' session.

Public Speaking
James is the selected Press Conference manager of Reebok's Safety division. James mainly mentors younger runners, as well as team owners and other professional athletes. James launched a blog to help out runners across the United States.

James also does community outreach programs and local speaking to promote a better life. James spoke for Susan G. Komen on the effects of breast cancer, also on living a healthier life through exercise.

Charities
James also supports a number of charities from Feed The Children to Susan G. Komen. He also actively participates in community events from autograph signings, auctions, and fund-raising, to other benefits for the community.

James' 2004 never worn All-Star pink Reebok/Intel jersey was auctioned off for benefit to kids science programs supported by Intel.

James raced cyclist Alberto Contador in a 200 meter event, James had a 50 meter head start. Contador who was on his speed bike lost to James by a mere 5 feet. The proceeds from this event went to Lance Armstrong & his Livestrong cancer campaign.

James supports Ready Georgia whose goal is to make sure Georgia is ready for emergencies and other major events. Ready Georgia also supports Georgia Work Ready which encourages teenagers and young adults to learn about the work opportunities that Georgia has to offer.

James participates in a team trips to the Aflac Cancer Center in Atlanta, where he takes pictures and signs autographs for the kids. James actively visits the hospital and stays in touch with the families.

James participated in a trip to a community in Georgia for a Habitat For Humanity project. The team built a medium sized park for the kids of the community to stay out of trouble during the summer. James and Habitat For Humanity are currently planning there next project for the spring of 2011.

Achievements
James holds the track record for the 100 m at the Maryland Sport Complex with 10.68 s, His 21.73 s 200 m is also a track record at the Canadian invitational which was held at the Rex Garden Stadium in Alberta. His 49.97 s 400 m is the fourth fastest time run in Genesee at the series championships, held at the Hubert Memorial Stadium.

Competition statistics
Data as of May 3, 2009
 * Years 1998 to 2000 were in the semi-professional league. Seasons in this league are 20 races long.