BEIJING • President Bush said he was coming to the Olympics as a fan.

On Saturday, he watched the U.S. women’s basketball team take a commanding lead over the Czech Republic on its way to a 97-57 victory.

Bush ducked out of the Olympic Basketball Gymnasium after the third quarter ended, waving to the U.S. men’s team on his way out.

But, he didn’t miss much. The American team simply had too much for its foe.

It was too quick, too strong and too skilled to even make its Group B opening-round game competitive.

The score barely did the game justice. The margin could’ve been twice as large.

“One through 12, we just have a really strong team,” center Lisa Leslie said. “It doesn’t matter who we sub in; it just gets a little bit stronger and a little bit harder in different areas.”

Diana Taurasi led all scorers with 17 points, but it was backup center Sylvia Fowles who created the biggest buzz. Fowles finished with 16 points on 7-of-9 shooting. Fowles also grabbed a game-high 14 rebounds and had two blocked shots.

“She could be one of the most dominant ever to play the game,” Leslie said. “Why? Look at her stature compared to my stature. She is so strong. She’s open to learn all the time. Her hands are getting better. Her ability to finish underneath with the left and right is getting better. Her free throws are getting better. She’s just going to continue to add aspects to her game to get better and better.

“She can outplay, physically, any post player that is in this tournament already. I just see her being one the most dominant centers ever.”

The Czech Republic started quickly, jumping to an 11-point lead. But there was really no cause for concern because there was really no competition.

“It is a shame basketball is played for 40 minutes because 10 minutes would’ve been enough for us,” Czech Republic coach Jan Bobrovsky said.

The biggest cheer came when the U.S. men’s team stood during halftime and waved to the wanton crowd.

Before halftime, numerous fans gathered at the ropes that separated the athletes from the crowd. Ushers wearing Olympic shirts held up their hands trying to block picture-takers and discourage fans from getting closer. Early in the half, the ushers had clasped hands and were forcibly holding back fans.

“I haven’t been recognized here, and I don’t expect to be,” American guard Sue Bird said. “The men are recognized for a reason, and the things they do on the basketball court are amazing. I’m glad it’s not me because they get harassed – although, everything here has been first class.”

With the victory, the women’s team ran its Olympic winning streak to 26. It continues pool play Monday against China.

Photo by (Christian Murdock, The Gazette)