Steinar Amundsen was an accomplished kayaker who won multiple medals in international competitions. At the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, Amundsen along with Egil Søby, Tore Berger and Jan Johansen won gold in the men’s K-4 1000 metres. The quartet later earned the nickname “The Golden Four”. The four of them went on to win the bronze medal in the same event at the 1972 München Olympics. They also won gold at the 1969 European Championships in Moskva and gold at the 1970 World Championships in København. During his career, Amundsen also won four Nordic Championships and 13 national titles between 1961 and 1974.
Steinar Amundsen had the following podium finishes at the Flatwater World Championships: 1st 1970 K4 10000 m (with Egil Søby, Tore Berger, and Jan Johansen), 1st 1970 K4 10000 m (with Andreas Orheim, Einar Rasmussen, and Olaf Søyland).