It's an interesting hypothesis, though I must make one point of contention. If we're basing this on the real world; whether in business, education, or super hero-ing, I don't believe that everyone begins with the same opportunities. It's impossible for everyone to begin at the same level! Skill and motivation are not the only deciding factors in success, not by a long shot...

And furthermore, I don't think that anyone truly stops participating in this "competition". Unless they die, of course. It's something we can't escape! Whether we achieve levels of greatness or fall behind, we are still a part of the system.

...But if we're literally talking about that contest going round between heroes and villains? That mess is uber creepy and I'm stayin' the junk out of it.

[Sorry for the gush, he's just been itching for some intellectual discourse. And seriously, whoever is running that contest is creep-central.]