He went to work for Newsweek in 1968 and covered the Summer Olympics in Mexico City. While in Mexico City, Axthelm played a minor role in the protest by Tommie Smith and John Carlos at the medal ceremony for the 200 meters.
In 1968, he began working at Newsweek and covered the Summer Olympics in Mexico City. While there, Axthelm played a small part in the protest staged by Tommie Smith and John Carlos at the medal ceremony for the 200-meter race.