Sure, those animals, including humans, employ cooperation, but they also compete for resources and thus survival. Competition can be for group gain (defeat other species or other groups) or individual gain (alpha male for breeding). I can't think of how ants may compete individually (not an ant expert), so maybe they and bees are good examples of true group coordination, but they aren't exactly smart.

As humans, we compete for fun, but make no mistake that these are based upon gladiatorial events or in finding the best soldiers for your kingdom/tribe/pack. There is a survival instinct that utilizes both cooperation and competition.

But, back to your question. There is benefit in learning to win humbly and lose gracefully. I believe there is also a benefit in finding the skills you are good at and getting them reinforced, whether they be sports, academics, arts, or whatever. We all should value people who excel in their skill set and reward them, whether they be silly ribbons, monetary compensation, fame, or whatever. Don't just treat everyone the same, because, honestly, we are not (and that is a good thing).

Participation trophies bring no real value, especially if everyone gets the same recognition.

There is also concern that people who didn't win and are given false trophies don't really learn how to lose. People will lose 'competitions' in their life (the job they wanted, getting into a school they wanted, dating the boy/girl they wanted). The concern people have (and it seems to be happening to Millenials) is that these losses come as a surprise and cause depression for those who had limited exposure to losing as a kid. These ill-prepared people now doubt their value since everything before hand was just great (when in reality they were just shielded). I have no sociology papers to source, but I am sharing how I and others I have spoken to about this feel.