TOKYO -- These are lonely times for thousands of souvenirs in dozens of Tokyo 2020 Olympic stores, which are drawing few customers with the postponed games more than a year away and facing an unclear future.
Strangely, a cancellation might stimulate souvenir sales, driving demand for memorabilia from the 2020 Olympics that didn't take place -- not once, but twice -- because of the pandemic. Conversely, pent-up demand might also spur sales if the games are finally held.
If they do go ahead, will athletes be quarantined first, and will fans be allowed to attend? What about packing 11,000 athletes from more than 200 countries and territories into the Athletes Village on Tokyo Bay? How will athletes train safely? And how will they travel the globe to qualifying events?
"Provided sales remain adequate, it may be best to remain open -- or at least partially open -- until a resolution is more in focus," Carter said. "After all, that is still important revenue to be generated given the collective uncertainty." Overall, Japan is officially spending $12.6 billion to organize the games, though a government audit says it's twice that much. All but $5.6 billion is public money.